Barclays Premier league Preview: Aston Villa vs Everton
It was a disappointing campaign for Aston Villa in the Europa league as they crashed out of the competition when they lost 2-3 at Villa park at the hands fr Rapid Vienna. The team seems to be falling out of place since the departure of manager of Martin O’Neill and the side is yet to find a suitable manager for the team.
Aston Villa will now be looking to bounce back from their defeat in the Europa league when they host Everton at Villa park on Sunday. Last time in the Premier League, Villa got a thrashing from Newcastle United at St. James Park. The Magpies thwarted Villa 6-0, which was degrading for a team who managed to finish 6th in the league last season. The newcomers tormented Villa almost at will, with striker Andy Caroll managing to score a hatrick against them. Managerless Villa will now be looking to put that disappointment behind and face a tough challenge from David Moyes’s XI.
Team News for Aston Villa:
English International Gabriel Agbonlahor remains doubtful for this all important clash against Everton. The player suffered from a rather minor concern, labeled as “tight calves” while playing in the Europa league encounter, which led to his substitution in order to avoid a prolonged lay-off. The striker was last year’s top scorer for the club and his lay off will push Villa further down the pit. Also, John Carew’s situation is likely to be assessed soon, following his omission from the Europa league tie. Defender Richard Dunne is also on the list of doubtfuls owing to his back concerns. However, the good news for caretaker manager Kevin McDonald is that left back Stephen Warnock and midfielder Stewart Downing are likely to be back for selection after giving them complete rest last week.
Aston Villa have already lost star midfielder James Milner to Manchester City and are likely to suffer because of that. Stephan Ireland, who travelled the other way as part of the Milner deal, is still struggling to find his ground at Villa.
Squad for Aston Villa: Friedel, Cuellar, L Young, Beye, Dunne, Collins, Davies, Clark, Warnock, Ireland, Downing, Petrov, Reo-Coker, Ashley Young, Albrighton, Carew, Agbonlahor, Heskey, Delfouneso, Lichaj, Bannan.
Team news for Everton:
David Moyes will again be without Captain Phil Neville, who remains doubtful owing to his foot injury. The defender missed last week’s encounter with Wolves in the Premier League as well as sat out of the 5-1 thrashing of Huddersfield town in the Carling Cup.
Striker, Victor Anichebe is not expected to play any part of the contest owing to his knee issue while defender Joseph Yobo is still out of training owing to knee strain. Yakubu missed the Huddersfield match through illness but also had a knock in training and could miss out.
Squad for Everton: Howard, Baines, Distin, Jagielka, Cahill, Fellaini, Pienaar, Osman, Arteta, Saha, Rodwell, Bilyaletdinov, Beckford, Gueye, Heitinga, Hibbert, Coleman, Duffy, Baxter, Wallace, Agard, Mucha.
Prediction:
A tough contest for the two teams who are still looking to find their ground in the Premier League season. Whether it is the lack of signings or increase in the level of difficulty in the league, both the teams have been nothing near their impressive form last season. A draw can thus be expected, with each team finding the net once. Both the managers of the sides are yet to find the right mix and thus have suffered heavily at the hands of minor oppositions.
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