During the summer, Ashley Williams brought an end to more than eight years at Swansea City by making the move north to join Everton in a deal believed to be worth around £12m.

The centre-back comes up against his former team for the first time since the summer on Saturday, when the high-flying Toffees welcome the struggling Swans to Goodison Park in the Premier League.

The Wales captain played more than 350 matches in all competitions for the Welsh side before joining the Merseyside outfit, where he has made twelve outings so far this term under the leadership of Ronald Koeman, who took the 32-year-old to the club during the summer.

Alongside Phil Jagielka and Ramiro Funes Mori, Williams has helped the club to seventh in the top flight standings.

We look at THREE reasons why the Welshman has proved he made the right decision to leave Swansea and join Everton…

League position

Britain Football Soccer - Everton v West Ham United - Premier League - Goodison Park - 30/10/16 Everton's Romelu Lukaku celebrates scoring their first goal with Kevin Mirallas Action Images via Reuters / Carl Recine Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY.No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your

Everton made a positive start to the Premier League season by winning four of their opening five matches, and despite picking up three points just once in the last six, including a 5-0 thrashing at Chelsea last time out, the Toffees are still lying eighth in the top flight standings, level on points with Manchester United.

Meanwhile, Swansea have taken just five points from a possible 33 this term, and are only off of the bottom of the table by virtue of goal difference from Sunderland.

Stability

Britain Soccer Football - Burnley v Everton - Premier League - Turf Moor - 22/10/16 Everton manager Ronald Koeman looks dejected as he walks off the pitch at full time Reuters / Anthony Devlin Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representativ

Everton decided to appoint Southampton manager Koeman on a three-year deal in the summer, and unless the Dutchman decides to leave the Merseyside outfit in the coming couple of years, it would seem to be a wise long-term move by the club.

It is a different story for the Swans, who are already on their second manager of the season following the sacking of Francesco Guidolin in October - he's been replaced by former USA boss Bob Bradley.

The Welsh side have picked up just one point from a possible twelve since then, and they look to be in real danger of losing their Premier League status.

Potential

Ashley Williams block

At 32 years of age, Williams is running out of time to win trophies and play in Europe, and despite lifting the League Cup with Swansea in 2013, and enjoying the subsequent Europa League campaign, there is no doubt that there is more chance of him achieving his aims on a consistent basis with the Toffees.

Although they were knocked out of the League Cup by Norwich, Everton still have the FA Cup to look forward to, while they are well placed in the Premier League in order to try and qualify for Europe next season.

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