Jack Grealish set to start for Aston Villa in Everton clash
Jack Grealish is set to return to Aston Villa’s squad for Thursday’s clash with Everton and he could even start the game, according to The Athletic.
The Villa captain has been out injured since the middle of February with a shin injury and the Midlands side have suffered in his absence, picking up just three victories out of a possible 12.
Top goalscorer Ollie Watkins will be a big miss for the visit of Everton to Villa Park as he serves a suspension for his red card against Manchester United last Sunday, but manager Dean Smith could be handed a huge boost with the return of his influential skipper.
The Athletic’s Gregg Evans wrote, “The Athletic understands the attacker will be available to Villa for the first time since February and there is a good chance he will start the clash.
“At the least, Grealish is expected to be in the squad.”
Big job for the right side
Whoever is tasked with keeping Grealish quiet on Thursday will have to prepare themselves for a tough encounter, and be mindful he doesn’t sucker them into his games which involve winning a lot of free kicks.
Grealish tends to start on the left-hand side of the attack before drifting in, which means the likes of Seamus Coleman and Ben Godfrey are most likely to come into contact with the 25-year-old, while the bite of Allan in midfield will be vital to restrict his movements.
We were given a big boost on the weekend with the news of Watkin’s dismissal, as the England striker scored in the reverse fixture at Goodison Park on May 1, when the visitors claimed a 2-1 victory.
That would have blunted their attack immeasurably but the return of Grealish who has scored six Premier League goals and assisted 10 so far this season, would help to sharpen it with his dazzling skills and movement.
To hear him back in the squad isn’t a great surprise but we certainly weren’t expecting him to be thrown straight back into the starting XI after such a lengthy absence.
Perhaps the loss of Watkins for the clash has forced their hand, and it will certainly give Carlo Ancelotti and his defence another thing to ponder.
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