Aston Villa visit Everton for Saturday clash
Aston Villa hope to end a three-match winless run when they visit Everton for a Premier League clash on Saturday afternoon.
With three fresh faces in his camp, manager Steven Gerrard looks to get back on track after a tumultuous month of league and cup action.
Last time out, Villa erased a late 2-0 deficit to rescue a point against Manchester United. Philippe Coutinho, introduced midway through the second half, scored the equalizer in his Villa debut.
The week prior, Villa crashed out of the FA Cup with a 1-0 loss to United at Old Trafford.
The Everton match provides a unique task for Gerrard’s men in that it’s a fixture they are expected to come away from with three points. Earlier this week Rafa Benitez was fired as Everton manager, and the club have not yet appointed a permanent replacement.
The last Premier League contest Villa entered as favorites was the Brentford clash on January 2. The Villans suffered a disappointing 2-1 loss on that afternoon.
Aston Villa vs. Everton is the most-played fixture in English football history, and Villa have won 83 of the 225 meetings. The last time Aston Villa lost to Everton in league play was March 1, 2016.
Everton vs. Aston Villa team news
Ezri Konsa is a doubt after picking up a knock in the United clash on Sunday. Gerrard said, “he left the pitch with a severe whack on his hip, so we’ll make a late decision on that today.”
Bertrand Traore and Trézéguet are on international duty at the African Cup of Nations, and Leon Bailey and Marvelous Nakamba remain out with injuries.
John McGinn returns to the squad after serving a one-match ban last week. New signing Lucas Digne returns to Goodison Park to face his former team two short weeks after completing a transfer.
Other than that, Gerrard said “we’re in good health. We’ve still got a session and testing process to come through, so it’s just Ezri that we’re waiting for so we’ll make a late decision on that.”
Everton caretaker manager Duncan Ferguson revealed on Friday that Fabian Delph and Tom Davies are unavailable for Saturday’s match.
Alex Iwobi is at AFCON, but Allan is in contention for selection after missing last week’s match at Norwich.
Aston Villa projected Starting XI: Martinez; Cash, Hause, Mings, Digne; McGinn, Douglas Luiz, J. Ramsey; Buendia, Coutinho; Watkins
Everton projected Starting XI: Pickford; Coleman, Mina, Keane, Godfrey; Townsend, Doucore, Allan, Gray; Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison
Date/time: Saturday, January 22 at 12:30 PM BST/7:30 AM EST
Ground: Goodison Park
TV/Streaming UK: BT Sport 1
TV/Streaming US: USA