Everton predicted XI vs Aston Villa
Everton ended their six-match winless run against Arsenal last week but Carlo Ancelotti could make two changes to the side for the visit of Aston Villa.
Michael Keane missed out last week and Mason Holgate was superb at leading the backline in his absence.
Ben Godfrey also played really well and has been a “brilliant signing” according to Jamie Carragher [Liverpool Echo], but we predict Keane will come back in for the youngster.
That’s because Ancelotti may trust him to keep a close eye on Ollie Watkins alongside Holgate, with the striker’s movement a threat Everton need to watch out for.
Dropping Godfrey would be a little harsh but with Lucas Digne and Seamus Coleman also performing well we do not see a place for him in the side, unless Ancelotti operates with a back five.
But against a Villa side without Jack Grealish we cannot see that happening.
Instead, the Italian may look to pin down the visitors by bringing Axex Iwobi back into the side.
Villa will be without first-choice right-back Matty Cash after he was sent off against Manchester City last week.
And the prospect of Iwobi facing Ahmed Elmohammady fills us with a lot of excitement.
We have to take advantage of that glaring Villa weak point, and if Iwobi returns we think he will take the place on Andre Gomes, with Gylfi Sigurdsson dropping to a deeper midfield role.
That would give us a threat from deep and hopefully Sigurdsson can replicate his performance against Tottenham a couple of weeks ago.
With those two changes this is how we predict the Toffees to line up on Saturday.
In other Everton news, Reliable journalist: Everton in hunt for ‘unbelievably quick’ flyer as Aarons interest dropped.
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