This weekend sees Aston Villa return to Premier League action as they travel to face Everton at Goodison Park. Here is our predicted XI…
Following a weekend of FA Cup action, Aston Villa will look to return to Premier League action with another win.
Last time out, Unai Emery’s side required a late Matty Cash goal to secure a place in the fourth round of the cup.
The Villans’ previous league game was a struggle as Burnley hit back twice to level the game at Villa Park. This eventually saw the home side take all three points as Douglas Luiz smashed home a late penalty.
Returning to Premier League action, the Villans will be looking to make it three from three for wins in recent weeks.
With all that being said, let’s take a look at our predicted XI for the clash against Everton.
Aston Villa Predicted XI
Right, you know the drill by now, Emi Martinez will be playing in goal for Aston Villa as he always does in the league. He has kept four league clean sheets, according to FotMob, but is deserving of so many more. He will start in goal once again.
Given that Everton are a defensive-minded outfit under the management of Sean Dyche, the full-backs need to work for Villa. Alex Moreno will start on the left in the absence of former Toffee, Lucas Digne. After scoring last time out, Cash is likely to keep his place at right back although Ezri Konsa could also start.
The centre-back pairing should see £31.5m man, Pau Torres return to the starting XI having being left out vs Middlesbrough. Alongside him could be Diego Carlos or Konsa depending on the tactical set-up used by Emery. We suggest the Englishman will be the option in this predicted XI.
Three of the midfield options choose themselves. John McGinn will line up out wide with Douglas Luiz and Boubacar Kamara in the midfield. This trio has been superb and are deserving of a spot in this predicted XI.
The other wide midfielder should be Leon Bailey, such has been his form for the Villans so far this season. He also allows for Moussa Diaby to perform better and we suggest that he should come in to start after being dropped vs Boro.
Finishing off, obviously, Ollie Watkins will start as the central striker as he looks to grab his tenth league goal of the season.
Predicted XI vs Everton- Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Torres, Moreno, Bailey, Kamara, Luiz, McGinn, Diaby, Watkins
