Venue: Villa Park
Date: 01/03/2016
Kick-off: 19:45 (BST)
Match
Everton managed to get over their disappointment of losing against West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League, with a 2-0 victory over Bournemouth to seal their place in the Quarter Finals of the FA Cup last weekend.
Having enjoyed an extended break of over a fortnight, Everton now return to action in the Premier League with a clash against Aston Villa at Villa Park on Tuesday.
Given Villa’s struggles at the moment, Everton should head into the game as favourites but one can be sure that claiming three points from the encounter is anything but a foregone conclusion and Roberto Martinez’s men will have to do well in order to come away with a victory in midweek.
Everton Team News
Following a struggle with a host of injuries earlier on in the season, Roberto Martinez will now be able to select from his strongest available lineup against Aston Villa – with the exception of Tony Hibbert and Muhamed Besic.
Joel Robles seems to have dislodged Tim Howard as the number one choice between the sticks for Everton and he is certain to start the clash.
Stones on the bench once again
Leighton Baines and John Stones are fully fit at the moment but with the quartet of Bryan Oviedo, Ramiro Funes Mori, Phil Jagielka and Seamus Coleman forming a very strong defensive unit, Martinez is unlikely to change things around at the back.
In midfield, the efficient combination of Gareth Barry and James McCarthy will be continuing while Aaron Lennon and Tom Cleverley are expected to fill in the wide positions.
Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku starred in Everton’s 2-0 victory over Bournemouth last time out and the young duo will be looking to cause more problems for the hapless Villa attack in midweek as well.
Probable Lineups
Aston Villa (Probable XI): Bunn; Cissokho, Lescott, Okore, Hutton; Westwood, Gueye, Veretout; Gil, Gestede, Ayew
Everton (Probable XI): Robles; Oviedo, Funes Mori, Jagielka, Coleman; McCarthy, Barry, Lennon, Barkley, Cleverley; Lukaku
Last Meeting
21/11/2015 Everton 4 – 0 Aston Villa
02/05/2015 Aston Villa 3 – 2 Everton
Prediction
Everton have lost only once in their last 10 encounters against Aston Villa and they are clearly the favourites heading into Tuesday night’s clash.
However, Everton remain inconsistent with their results and with Villa desperate for points, one can be sure that the Toffees will be made to work hard in order to grab the victory.
Everton have much better quality in all areas of the pitch than Villa though and should be able to come away from the clash with all three points.
Aston Villa 1 – 2 Everton
