Everton confirmed starting XI for Premier League clash v Aston Villa
Everton have confirmed their starting XI for their first Premier League away fixture of the season, as they face Aston Villa at Villa Park on Sunday 20 August.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin returns to the Everton starting lineup for the first time this season following his recovery from injury, while Neal Maupay drops to the bench in an otherwise unchanged side from the opening day defeat to Fulham. Arnaut Danjuma starts from the bench once again.
The Toffees are still without Dwight McNeil, who Sean Dyche confirmed would be out for weeks rather than days, while long-term absentees Dele Alli and Seamus Coleman are still missing.
Need to improve in front of goal
Sean Dyche will be hoping his side can correct their woes from last week’s loss to Fulham, which saw them miss several chances before conceding the only goal of the game from one of Fulham’s only chances.
They now face an Aston Villa side who shipped five goals to Newcastle in their own opening Premier League fixture and will be hoping to rectify their mistakes and tighten up their defence which looked suspect as Newcastle were able to exploit their high line on numerous occasions.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s inclusion in the side should allow Everton to have an outlet if they do look to exploit Villa’s high-pressing setup, with his ability to hold the ball up providing the Toffees with an option to go long if they are unable to play out of the press.
It is once again clear that the Merseyside club are in need of further reinforcements, as Garner’s inclusion as a right-sided midfielder should not be seen as a long-term solution to their lack of depth on the wings.
In other Everton news, the club are facing a dilemma in their chase for a £30million striker.