Aston Villa will clash heads with Everton at Goodison Park on Thursday evening hoping to secure all three points on the road. The Villans managed to keep their survival hopes alive when they secured a brilliant 2-0 win over Crystal Palace last weekend. However, the Toffees could prove to be a much sterner test for them in midweek.
Dean Smith will continue to set-up his team in a 4-3-3 formation and might make one change to his side for this away clash at Merseyside.
4-3-3 Aston Villa Predicted Lineup To Face Everton
Defence
Pepe Reina should retain his spot in goal after earning a rare clean sheet versus the Eagles. Tyrone Mings might get another chance to lineup alongside Ezri Konsa following their excellent display at the heart of the Villa defence last weekend. Both centre-halves will have their hands full while up against Everton’s Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Ahmed Elmohamady could get another chance to impress at right-back, while Matt Targett returns to feature on the other side as the left-back. Smith will instruct both his full-backs to maintain a solid defensive shape so that they do not give the Everton wide players any breathing room in midweek.
Neil Taylor might be rested in the next match, so he will have to be content with a spot alongside Frédéric Guilbert on Smith’s bench.
Midfield
The Villans midfield will be comprised of the ever-energetic Douglas Luiz, who could lineup alongside Conor Hourihane and John McGinn at the centre of the park. The hard-working trio will try to challenge for every loose ball so that they can make life increasingly difficult for the Toffees in midfield.
Marvelous Nakamba will be available for selection on the bench and might come on to make an impact in the second half if required.
Attack
Jack Grealish will carry most of Villa’s creative burden as a left-sided wide player. Trezeguet will look to build on his excellent performance versus the Eagles by producing another productive display in midweek. The Egyptian winger managed to score a brace last weekend, so he would pose a major threat for the home team on the break.
Mbwana Samatta could get the nod to spearhead Smith’s attack on Thursday which means Keinan Davis will once again have to settle for a spot on the bench.,
