Everton head to Villa Park to take on third place Aston Villa, who are fighting for second place in the Premier League. Meanwhile, the Toffees are looking for a win to take them up to 10th, despite a thin squad with eight key players missing. Here’s the latest Everton team news and our predicted lineup.
Everton Team News and Predicted Lineup vs Aston Villa As Toffees Look To Make Top 10
How Everton Have Lined Up Recently
Everton were put out of the FA Cup last weekend by Sunderland, after going to penalties, with the Toffees failing to net a single shot from the spot. James Garner netted the only goal in the Cup game for the Toffees, as he stepped up to the penalty spot in the 89th minute, taking the game to extra time. Michael Keane and Jack Grealish were both unavailable for that clash after being shown red in their Premier League game against Wolves midweek.
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In their usual 4-2-3-1, Jordan Pickford started in goal with Jake O’Brien, James Tarkowski, Nathan Patterson and Vitaliy Mykolenko playing at the back. James Garner and Merlin Röhl positioned in the defensive midfield, with Harrison Armstrong, Tyler Dibling and Dwight McNeil as attacking midfield with Beto completing the lineup up front.
Everton Recent Form And Tactics
The Toffees have struggled to keep their momentum in recent games, winning only one of their last five matches. It comes as the squad faces a battle with injuries, suspensions and players out at AFCON.
The transfer window hasn’t offered any relief, with no new signings being made. In David Moyes’ pre-match press conference on Friday night, the Scotsman commented on the transfer window efforts, saying: “We’re still looking. I’m not sure we’ll get anything, but we’re trying.”
Injuries, Suspensions, and AFCON
Everton have added another player to their injury list, with Tim Iroegbunam missing from the squad, as Moyes said the player is carrying a “slight injury”. There will not be any players available to return for the fixture against Villa, with Carlos Alcaraz, Seamus Coleman, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and Jarrad Branthwaite all still out on injury.
However, Moyes commented that Branthwaite and Coleman have returned to training, some positive news the team desperately need. Meanwhile Dewsbury-Hall, Alcaraz and Iroegbunam are not fit to return just yet, as Moyes added: “They’re getting closer but they’re not training yet.”
Jack Grealish will return to the matchday squad after serving his one-match ban following his double yellow against Wolves. Michael Keane has served one of his three-match ban after being shown a straight red card in the same game, and will not return to the squad to face Villa.
Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gueye are heading to the Africa Cup of Nations final with Senegal, so are yet to return to the squad.
Everton Predicted Lineup vs Aston Villa
GK: Jordan Pickford
Defence: Jake O’Brien – James Tarkowski – Nathan Patterson- Vitaliy Mykolenko
Midfield: Harrison Armstrong- Dwight McNeil – Tyler Dibling – James Garner – Jack Grealish
Forwards: Thierno Barry
Featured Image Credit:
IMAGO / Sportimage
