Aston Villa will play hosts to Everton at Villa Park on Saturday evening as they hope to conjure up a win in front of their home fans. The Villans suffered a 3-0 loss against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last weekend, which has halted their momentum ahead of this weekend.
Dean Smith could choose to set his side up in a 4-4-2 formation but is sweating on the fitness of Emiliano Buendia and Emiliano Martinez this weekend. If both of them can pass a late fitness test, they should get the nod to start against the Toffees.
4-4-2 Aston Villa Predicted Lineup To Face Everton
Defence
As mentioned earlier, Emiliano Martinez is a slight doubt for this game but should get a start in goal for the Villans if he can make himself available this Saturday. Tyrone Mings will partner Ezri Konsa at the centre of Smith’s defence as they try to keep Everton’s Richarlison in check throughout the game.
Matty Cash will feature at right-back while Matt Targett resumes his duties on the other side as the left-back. Both of them will look to maintain a good defensive shape at the back so that they can limit the chances Everton create from the wide areas.
Axel Tuanzebe will probably get dropped to the bench for this game as he offers cover for the centre-half positions.
Midfield
Douglas Luiz and John McGinn will function as the holding midfielders. Their main responsibility would be to work hard towards disrupting the opposition’s flow in the game at the centre of the park and also, create some inviting chances for their teammates in the final third.
Ashley Young will be eager to put his experience to good use down the left flank while Emiliano Buendia will be a nailed-on starter as the right-winger if he can win the race against time to be fit for this clash.
Marvelous Nakamba, Jacob Ramsey and Morgan Sanson will be named on the bench as they wait for their opportunity to catch the eye as the impact substitutes if Smith opts to call upon their services.
Attack
Ollie Watkins will probably get a chance to lead the line for the Villans along with Danny Ings this weekend. Watkins is yet to find the back of the net this season but Ings has been Villa’s main source of goals so far. We can expect both of them to be hungry to register a goal versus Rafael Benitez’s men on Saturday evening.
