A group of Everton fans have been given the go-ahead to stage a protest before Saturday's home game against Aston Villa.

The Blue Union were given permission by Merseyside Police to march around Goodison Park and towards the director's entrance.

However, the group stresses that the protest is not to oust current chairman Bill Kenwright, but to highlight the lack of investment at the club.

"The aim of the Blue Union is simple, it's not to get Bill Kenwright out, it's certainly not some mindless attempt to sack the board," read a statement.

"Its aim is to promote the concept of allowing the CEO to be left to concentrate on reducing costs, developing our revenue streams and repairing the relationship with the fanbase whilst leaving the board to appoint a fully autonomous group of professional individuals who can effectively develop and implement a strategy that will identify and sell the club to a buyer who can demonstrate an ability and a genuine desire to take the club forward on both a commercial and football level."

The Toffees were amongst the most inactive of Premier League clubs during the recently-closed transfer window, and have named one of the smallest squads for the upcoming season.