Aston Villa face Everton at Goodison Park in the Premier League on Wednesday night, and here’s how Unai Emery’s starting line-up could look for the clash.
Villa have started the new year well with back-to-back wins over Leicester City and West Ham in the league and FA Cup respectively, and so we head to Merseyside looking to build on that momentum and form.
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It certainly won’t be easy though given the Toffees will be buoyed by the return of David Moyes, and so it promises to be a difficult atmosphere and challenge to try and return home with a positive result.
Although we undoubtedly have the quality and experience to deal with it, much will depend on our application and execution of the game-plan, as we need to see more of the Villa from the second half against West Ham than the version in the opening 45 minutes to have a chance of securing all three points.
Three Villa changes, Ramsey to get the nod?
Emery confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Emiliano Martinez has trained this week and is feeling good after missing the win over West Ham with a minor injury, and so it’s hoped that the Argentine shot-stopper is available to take his place in the starting line-up.
Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa and Tyrone Mings are expected to continue in our backline, but Lucas Digne could return in place of Ian Maatsen to face his former side. The Dutchman has impressed in his last two outings and arguably now deserves a run of games to establish himself in the Villa XI, but Emery could favour a more solid defensive option on the road.
With Ross Barkley and John McGinn unavailable due to injury, Boubacar Kamara and Youri Tielemans could form our midfield pivot, as they’ve shown previously how effective they can be in giving us control in the middle of the pitch with the way they complement each other, while the latter was much more effective last time out when he dropped deeper.
That in turn will allow for Leon Bailey and Morgan Rogers to start ahead of them in the final third, and a return for Jacob Ramsey to the line-up could be on the cards after his impressive impact off the bench last Friday night.
The 23-year-old gives us an important balance on the left side when he’s involved, and particularly away from home where we’ll look to hurt Everton on the counter attack with swift and precise transition play, Ramsey could be a key cog in helping us pose a real threat.
Jhon Duran returns from his suspension and will be back in contention, but after a three-game absence, Emery might stick with Ollie Watkins in a starting role for now as he tries to rediscover his goalscoring touch, but he does remain the fitter and sharper option for now.
Maatsen, Emiliano Buendia, Amadou Onana and Duran will all hope to be involved at some stage as we’ll boast a strong bench again, but regardless of personnel, it’s hoped that Villa can secure what would be a hugely important win on the road to extend our good form.