Everton welcome Aston Villa to the Hill Dickinson Stadium for matchday four of the Premier League. The Toffees are looking for their third league win on the bounce after beating Wolves and Brighton in their previous two games.
Villa on the other hand, are yet to score this season and find themselves in 19th place on one point. Unai Emery's side have won three out of the last five games between the two sides, including a double over them last season. It is the most played fixture in English league history, with this match being the 214th meeting.
Team News
Everton
- Jarrod Branthwaite is still a few weeks away with a hamstring injury
- Vitaly Mykolenko and Iliman Ndiaye are both doubts after picking up knocks
- Nathan Patterson and Adam Aznou are close to returning
Aston Villa
- Amadou Onana, Boubacar Kamara, Andres Garcia and Ross Barkley are all ruled out
- Emiliano Martinez and Matty Cash are fit and available
- New signings Harvey Elliott, Jadon Sancho and Victor Lindelof will all be in the squad
Everton Overview
Everton's revamped attack has been firing on all cylinders so far this season. Summer signings Jack Grealish and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall have made an instant impact, providing six goal contributions between them. Iliman Ndiaye is searching for is third goal of the campaign and striker Beto opened his account in the last match against Wolves.
Since David Moyes' return to Everton, their performances have drastically improved and they look a more complete side. With the new stadium and great start to the season, the mood around the club has shifted. There is hope that they can finish in the top half of the league and maybe even compete for a European spot.
Predicted Lineup: Pickford, O'Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Garner, Iroegbunam, Gueye, Dibling, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish, Beto
Aston Villa Overview
Villa have had an abysmal start to the season, having picked up only one point so far on the opening day to Newcastle. Crystal Palace brushed them aside in their previous match, winning 3-0. The Villans haven't posed any serious threat in attack with a lack of intensity and movement, making it easy for sides to defend against them.
The international break came at a good time for Villa, as it has given them the opportunity to reset and forget about their first three games. New signings Harvey Elliott, Jadon Sancho and Victor Lindelof will provide a much needed boost to the squad's morale as fresh faces were needed. It's the first time under Emery that Villa have looked so bleak, but if there is anyone to get them going again, it's him.
Emiliano Buendia showed promise when he came on at half-time against Crystal Palace. With Emery's reluctance to play new signings straight away, Buendia could be the only change to the side that faced the Eagles. Morgan Rogers played well in the No 10 for England, recording an assist, which could mean Evan Guessand keeps his place on the left. Despite Martinez's willingness to leave Villa on Deadline Day, his overall ability means he shouldn't be left out of the squad.
