The Blue Union, the Everton supporters' group that has accused the club of stagnating under the ownership of Bill Kenwright, has been granted permission by Merseyside Police to hold a protest march before Saturday's home game against Aston Villa.

Hundreds of supporters attended a first public meeting of the Blue Union in Liverpool city centre on Saturday, when it was agreed to stage a protest outside Goodison Park, amid anger at the continued lack of investment in David Moyes's squad. The organisers intend to march to the directors' entrance on Goodison Road shortly before kick-off against Villa.

Kenwright, the Everton chairman, has been unable to attract new investment despite a search lasting several years, and outlined the club's parlous financial state in a recent meeting with Blue Union representatives. Though the Blue Union has divided opinion among Evertonians, who have yet to see Kenwright receive an offer for his majority shareholding, it denies the protests are intended solely to oust the Everton chairman.

In a statement announcing Saturday's march, it said: "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. 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."

Everton's new loan signing Denis Stracqualursi, meanwhile, could be handed an immediate debut against Villa after Victor Anichebe added to Moyes's striking problems. The Nigeria international could face an extended lay-off after injuring his groin in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Madagascar on Saturday. With Louis Saha also short of fitness, and Jermaine Beckford and Yakubu Ayegbeni sold on transfer deadline day, the Argentinian may be Moyes's only fully fit forward against Villa.