Second-place Aston Villa travel to face Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday. The Premier League tie sees Unai Emery’s side hunting for three points to put them level with Liverpool, while the Toffees seek vital points in their battle for survival. We’ve compiled the latest news and our Aston Villa predicted lineup.
Aston Villa Predicted Lineup vs Everton: Title Race & The Fight for Survival Heats Up
How Aston Villa Have Lined-up Recently
Emi Martinez starts in goal. Ezri Konsa has played at both centre-back and right-back, with Matty Cash used at right-back when he’s been fit and selected. Diego Carlos and Clement Lenglet have been the centre-back duo in the past two league matches, with Alberto Moreno and Lucas Digne sharing minutes on the left flank.
Douglas Luiz has been excellent in defensive midfield, reminding fans why Arsenal pursued him last season. The Brazillian has six goals and three assists in nineteen Premier League appearances. Captain John McGinn has been starting alongside him and has been similarly brilliant, pitching in with five goals and two assists as well as exceptional passing.
Leon Bailey and Jacob Ramsey have started as wide midfielders in support of Ollie Watkins up front. The England international has nine goals and eight assists this season. Emery prefers to use Moussa Diaby as a second striker alongside Watkins or he partners McGinn as an advanced midfielder.
Aston Villa’s Recent Form and Tactics
Villa’s recent form has been slightly unconvincing despite their strong league position. They scored last-minute goals against relegation battlers Sheffield United and Burnley, to secure a draw and a win respectively in their last two games. Both of these fixtures were at Villa Park, which has been a fortress in the first half of the season.
Emery’s side also lost away at Manchester United on Boxing day despite being 2-0 up within 30 minutes. A convincing win at Goodison Park would prove that the Villans are still serious about this title race.
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Tactically, Emery has continued his trend of flirting between formations and constantly changing his side’s shape and structure. In recent weeks, he has used a 4-4-1-1, a 4-2-3-1, and even a 3-5-2.
In the 4-4-1-1 and the 3-5-2, Diaby has accompanied Watkins as a second striker, providing runs out wide to spread the defence and give the Englishman space to run into.
Aston Villa Injury & Team News Ahead of Everton Tie
Emery told reporters in his Friday press conference that both Pau Torres and Youri Tielemans have been training with the first team and both “could be in the squad with the possibility of playing”, according to the Spanish head coach.
Pau Torres’ return will be a huge boost to his side. His skills in possession and his comfort with his left foot had been crucial to Villa’s build-up play early in the season. The experienced centre-back joined the Premier League side from Emery’s former club Villareal as part of a £31.5 million move.
Journalist Simon Stone claimed on the day of the move that the centre back “forms a key part of Emery’s vision”. The 26-year-old has been a staple of his Villa side. Emi Buendia and Tyrone Mings have both been out with long-term injuries following surgeries. Robin Olsen is expected back soon. Bertrand Traore is away at the African Cup of Nations with Burkina Faso.
Digne picked up a hamstring injury against Manchester United and Emery has revealed that: “he will be out of the team for some weeks”.
Aston Villa Predicted Lineup vs Everton
GK: Emi Martinez
LB: Alberto Moreno
CB: Pau Torres
CB: Diego Carlos
RB: Ezri Konsa
LM: John McGinn
DM: Douglas Luiz
DM: Boubacar Kamara
RM: Leon Bailey
ST: Moussa Diaby
ST: Ollie Watkins
