Relegation battling Everton host Premier League title-chasing Aston Villa at Goodison Park.
Victory would see Everton climb to 16th in the table, whilst Villa can stay second in the table with a win.
Team News
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is available for Everton after his red card during their goalless draw at Crystal Palace in the FA Cup was overturned upon appeal.
Dwight McNeil (ankle) is unlikely to feature in the matchday squad but manager – Sean Dyche has refused to completely rule him out of contention, pending a late fitness test.
Abdoulaye Doucoure (hamstring) could return but Idrissa Gueye is away on international duty for Senegal.
Ashley Young (fitness) and Dele Alli (hip) remain absent.
Villa could welcome Robin Olsen (knock), Pau Torres (fitness) and Youri Tielemans (calf) back into contention
Tyrone Mings (knee), Lucas Digne (hamstring), Bertrand Traore (international duty) and Emiliano Buendia (ACL) remain ruled out.
When is Kick-Off?
Everton host Aston Villa at 2pm GMT on Sunday 14 January at Goodison Park, live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Everton are winless in their last nine league meetings against Aston Villa (D2, L7).
- Aston Villa have claimed 10 out of 12 points from their last four visits to Everton (W3, D1).
- Injured Villa midfielder, Emiliano Buendia scored in each of the Villains’ last two visits to Everton.
- Everton are looking to avoid losing four consecutive league games for the first time since February – March 2022.
- John McGinn has played more through balls than any other Villa player in the Premier League this season, having created 12 through ball passes in 20 appearances.
Prediction
Following their goalless draw against Palace in the FA Cup, Everton will be relieved that McNeil’s injury isn’t long-term because he is one of their most creative players but his absence will be felt if he doesn’t make the squad here.
Dyche’s Toffees also will be glad that Calvet-Lewin is available otherwise this could be another slog of a match for the fans, especially after their sluggish efforts at Selhurst Park where they didn’t really find much spark until the threat of a replay loomed then ultimately materialised.
After scraping past Middlesbrough in a lacklustre performance where they just lacked intensity in their end product, Villa certainly will be relieved to have defensively kept a clean sheet but they must find their attacking sharpness if want to keep pressure on their title rivals.
You therefore have to hope that both teams can step up their performance but if Villa can quickly get back to their usual attacking intensity, I can see them taking the win but this could well be a slow-burner initially.
Prediction: Everton 1-2 Aston Villa
Result: Everton 0-0 Aston Villa
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