Three things to watch for in Everton clash v Aston Villa
Everton followed up a disappointing loss against Aston Villa with a hard fought victory over West Ham at the London Stadium last week.
The Blues got back to winning ways against a tough to beat Hammers side, with both teams equally motivated in the end of season run-in as European football beckons.
Everton now face Aston Villa for the second time in under two weeks, this time with the game taking place at Villa Park, with Everton favouring away fixtures this season.
Ahead of Everton’s clash with the Villans on Thursday, we at Goodison News have picked out three things that fans should watch out for in this upcoming encounter.
Offensive change
Ollie Watkins was a menace when Villa face Everton at Goodison Park, with the pacey and prolific forward running riot.
Having been sent off against Manchester United at the weekend, Watkins will be replaced by the significantly less prolific Keinan Davis, 23, a player who uses strength and power to his advantage.
Everton’s defensive line will have a very different task this time around with Davis an entirely different player to Watkins, so hopefully the squad have effectively done their homework.
Dooks to return
Abdoulaye Doucoure was named in the match-day squad for the first time since early March against West Ham at the weekend, and he’s ready to make an impact against Aston Villa once again.
He never came off the bench against the Hammers but we’d bet that we’ll get to see him in action against Villa, either as a starter or more likely as a second-half substitute.
The Blues have massively missed his energy and work rate in midfield, and it’ll be huge for the club to welcome him back as the final few fixtures of the season fast approach.
Determined to impress
Josh King was cruelly denied his first Everton goal against West Ham when Craig Dawson went unpunished for handing his goal-bound effort on the line, and the Norwegian will now be chomping at the bit to get another opportunity.
Carlo Ancelotti spoke in his press conference about how he has been pleased with King’s work this season, despite the fact that he is still yet to feature in anymore more than a short cameo, and the Italian could elect to hand him another chance after a spirited performance against the Hammers.
In other Everton news, the Toffees are reportedly willing to shell out £21m for 24y/o defender open to Everton switch.
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