The journey to Goodison Park felt different from the short bus ride to Villa Park.

This time, the team bus rumbled through unfamiliar streets, the architecture changing, the crowds growing thicker with opposing fans.

Leon sat by the window, headphones on, trying to block out the low hum of the engine and the nervous chatter of his teammates.

He glanced around the bus. John McGinn (Current: 84) was quietly stretching his hamstrings.

Ollie Watkins (Current: 86) was focused, staring out the window, picturing goal-scoring opportunities.

Douglas Luiz (Current: 85) looked calm, as always, radiating a quiet confidence.

"Nervous, Leo?" McGinn asked, noticing Leon's intense gaze out the window.

Leon turned, giving a small smile.

"Excited, mostly. Goodison's got a reputation, right? Loud crowd."

"Loud is an understatement," McGinn chuckled. "It's a cauldron.

But that's what makes it fun, eh? Puts fire in your belly. Just remember to use that fancy vision of yours, and we'll be fine."

Leon nodded, his mind already running through scenarios.

His 'sight' was an invaluable tool, especially in hostile environments where the noise could drown out communication.

He'd have to rely on the ghostly projections more than ever.

As the bus slowed, caught in traffic, Leon's eyes scanned the teeming sidewalks.

Fans, a sea of blue and white, surged past, their faces a mix of anticipation and fierce loyalty. Suddenly, his 'sight' flared, almost blinding him for a split second.

A man, walking briskly through the crowd, talking on his phone, appeared in his vision with numbers that seemed to scream at him, brighter, more intense than any he'd ever seen.

Player Name: Unidentified, Potential: 98, Current: 54.

Leon's breath hitched. Ninety-eight Potential. He didn't gasp, didn't react overtly.

He just stared, his mind reeling. He'd never seen a Potential rating that high, not even in his dreams of becoming the best.

A 98? And a 'Current' of 54, so low for such incredible Potential. It meant this person, whoever he was, had a raw, untapped talent beyond anything Leon had imagined.

A true diamond in the rough, perhaps completely unaware of his own gift.

Before Leon could process it further, the bus lurched forward, picking up speed, and the man was gone, swallowed by the crowd.

Leon's heart was still thumping. Unidentified, Potential: 98, Current: 54. He tucked the information away, a secret curiosity.

The world was full of hidden talents, it seemed.

The bus pulled into Goodison Park, the stadium looming, a grand old coliseum of football.

The atmosphere outside was thick with chanting, the air vibrating with a primal energy.

The dressing room was smaller, more compact than Villa Park's, but the energy was just as focused. Coach Emery gave his final instructions, his voice calm, resolute.

"This is Goodison. They will fight. You fight harder. Be brave. Be disciplined. We take three points home." He looked at Leon, a subtle nod. "Fischer, control the midfield. Your composure is key."

As Leon walked out onto the pitch, the noise hit him like a physical wall.

The roar of the Everton faithful was deafening, a visceral sound that seemed to shake the foundations of the stadium. It was intimidating, exhilarating, and for a moment, he felt a flicker of doubt. But then he remembered his 'sight', his unique weapon, and his resolve hardened.

The referee's whistle pierced the din. BOOM!

-Kickoff!-

Everton immediately swarmed them, pressing high, their midfield a blur of blue.

Abdoulaye Doucouré (Potential: 86, Current: 84), their tireless midfielder, was everywhere, a constant threat. Leon found himself in a relentless battle, his 'sight' working overtime to predict the incoming tackles, the quick passes.

The commentator's voice fought to be heard.

"Early intensity from Everton! They're flying out of the traps! Doucouré with a crunching tackle on Kamara!"

Leon moved the ball quickly, trying to evade the press.

He saw a 'ghosted outstretched leg' from Idrissa Gueye (Potential: 85, Current: 83), indicating a tackle.

Leon quickly shifted the ball, laying it off to Douglas Luiz (Current: 85), who calmly played it wide.

The game was a brutal midfield war.

Everton were physical, aggressive, winning most of the duels.

Leon found himself tracking back constantly, his 'sight' helping him make crucial interceptions.

He saw a faint 'arc' from James Tarkowski's (Potential: 84, Current: 82) foot, a long ball aiming for Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Potential: 87, Current: 83).

Leon immediately positioned himself to cut off the pass, forcing Tarkowski to change his mind.

Around the 20th minute, Everton's pressure paid off.

A quick throw-in deep in Villa's half, and the ball found Abdoulaye Doucouré (Current: 84) at the edge of the box. Leon saw the 'leg-and-ball' projection, a powerful shot coming.

He launched himself, but it was too quick.

BOOM! Doucouré unleashed a thunderous strike that flew past Emiliano Martínez (Current: 85).

GOOOAL! - Everton 1 - Aston Villa 0!

Goodison Park erupted, a deafening roar of triumph. Leon felt the sting of conceding, but he refused to let his head drop. He ran to the center circle, urging his teammates on.

"Heads up! We keep fighting!"

Villa, spurred by the goal, tried to respond. Leon started pushing higher, looking for openings.

He received the ball from John McGinn (Current: 84) in midfield, and his 'sight' flared, showing him a subtle 'body shift' from an Everton defender, signaling a slight hesitation. He saw a narrow gap opening up.

He hit a precise through ball to Ollie Watkins (Current: 86), who had made a clever run. Watkins was in! He took a touch, then fired a shot.

WHISSHH! "..." The ball whizzed just past the post! So close!

The first half ended with Villa still trailing 1-0. The dressing room was tense. Coach Emery was calm but firm. "We are losing the second balls. We are losing the physical battle.

We need more intensity. Leon, your vision is helping, but we need more from everyone. Fight!"

The second half began with renewed vigor from Villa. They pressed higher, matching Everton's physicality.

Leon was in the thick of every challenge, his 'sight' helping him anticipate every tackle, every pass. He was battling fiercely with Doucouré (Current: 84), a relentless opponent.

Around the 60th minute, Villa found their equalizer. Leon won a crucial tackle against Idrissa Gueye (Current: 83), seeing the 'outstretched leg' coming a split second before.

He quickly released Douglas Luiz (Current: 85), who then played a beautiful through ball to Ollie Watkins. Watkins, calm and composed, slotted it past Jordan Pickford (Potential: 87, Current: 86).

GOOOAL! - Everton 1 - Aston Villa 1!

The small contingent of Villa fans erupted, their cheers battling against the stunned silence of Goodison Park. Leon ran to celebrate with Watkins, a surge of triumph washing over him.

They had pulled one back! The momentum had shifted.

The game became an end-to-end affair, both teams pushing for a winner.

Leon was everywhere, breaking up Everton attacks, launching Villa's counter-attacks. He saw a 'leg-and-ball' projection from Dwight McNeil (Potential: 86, Current: 84), a powerful shot coming.

Leon lunged, getting a block in, deflecting it wide.

Then, in the 85th minute, Villa had a golden opportunity.

A quick counter-attack. Leon received the ball in midfield, his 'sight' showing him the intricate movements of Everton's defense.

He saw a ghostly 'arc' from McGinn, demanding a pass, and a 'through ball' projection to Watkins. But then, a subtle, almost imperceptible 'shift in weight' from a defender, opening up a narrow window.

Leon didn't hesitate.

He played a perfectly weighted, disguised pass to Leon Bailey (Current: 84), who had made a surging run down the right wing. Bailey was in!

He reached the byline, looked up, and crossed the ball low into the box.

The commentator's voice rose in a frenzy.

"Bailey with the cross! It's a fantastic ball…! Ollie Watkins…?! This could be the winner!"

Watkins connected with it, a powerful first-time shot. It was heading for the top corner! But Jordan Pickford (Current: 86) reacted with incredible agility, launching himself across his goal, getting a strong hand to it, pushing it over the bar.

Unbelievable save!

The final whistle blew moments later.

The score was 1-1. A draw. Leon slumped to the ground, exhausted but proud.

They hadn't won, but they had battled, fought back, and earned a hard-won point at a notoriously difficult ground.

As he walked off the pitch, the roar of the crowd still ringing in his ears, Leon knew he had proven himself again.

He was consistently performing at this level, his 'sight' becoming an increasingly powerful weapon.

He thought about Byon, and their playful rivalry.