View: Predicted Everton starting XI v Aston Villa
Everton are set to face Aston Villa for the second time this month on Thursday as they hope to better their efforts at Villa Park.
The Blues recently faced off against the Villans at Goodison Park, turning in a disappointing performance that threatened to hamper their hopes of qualifying for Europe this season.
However the Toffees followed that result with a perhaps surprising win against West Ham at the London Stadium, and now they’ll be looking for successive away victories in the Premier League.
At Goodison News, we have named our predicted Everton XI to take on Aston Villa this week…
Predictably Jordan Pickford keeps his space in the starting line-up for Everton, having cemented himself as Carlo Ancelotti’s clear first choice in goal.
The England international has been highly consistent over the past few months and his safe hands could prove vital in helping the club achieve their aims this season.
Everton operated with a back-three against West Ham and it wouldn’t be surprising to see them do so again, with Michael Keane and Ben Godfrey set to retain their starting spots. Mason Holgate will replace the injured Yerry Mina at the back, while Seamus Coleman and Lucas Digne will line-up as marauding wing-backs.
Ancelotti could face a difficult midfield selection decisions against Villa with Abdoulaye Doucoure now ready to feature, but the axis of Tom Davies, Allan and Gylfi Sigurdsson worked so well that equally he could simply not change it.
Everton were compact and effective on the ball against the Hammers, and Ancelotti could fear that changing that wouldn’t be the right move for the Blues.
That leaves the Italian with a rather simple decision to make up front, with both Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin certainties to start whenever fit. Calvert-Lewin scored against West Ham and Ancelotti will hope for further goals as he spearheads a European charge.
That leaves Alex Iwobi, Bernard, Doucoure and Josh King among the substitutes, the latter of whom should have had his first goal for the club last week, and that depth could prove vital as Everton play four cup finals before the end of the season.
Ancelotti will be aware of the importance of getting a result against Dean Smith’s side, with several results having worked in the club’s favour in recent weeks. Everton must win to keep their European dreams alive, and hopefully the Blues can rise to the occasion.
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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