Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is weighing up several crucial selection decisions ahead of his side's Premier League clash with Everton at Villa Park this Sunday.
Villa's formidable home record faces Everton test
The Villans are targeting a remarkable 12th consecutive home victory across all competitions. Their confidence will be buoyed by an incredible recent record against the Merseyside club. Aston Villa are unbeaten in all 13 Premier League meetings with Everton since their top-flight return in 2019.
Furthermore, the statistics are daunting for the visitors. Villa have kept more Premier League clean sheets against Everton (25) than any other opponent. They have shut out the Toffees in eight of their last ten encounters.
Everton's resilient away form under Moyes
However, Sean Dyche's Everton arrive with their own reasons for optimism. The Toffees have won three of their last five Premier League away games, keeping a clean sheet in four of those five matches.
This defensive resilience on the road marks a significant improvement. Those four clean sheets in five games match the total they managed in their previous 18 away fixtures combined. Since David Moyes returned to the club last year, Everton have secured nine wins in 19 away league games.
Emery's key team selection dilemmas
For Villa, the major team news surrounds goalkeeper Emi Martinez. The World Cup winner missed the FA Cup win at Tottenham with a calf injury but could be in line for a return. If fit, he is expected to reclaim his place.
In front of him, the back four is likely to consist of Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, and Ian Maatsen. The midfield presents Emery's biggest puzzle due to injuries. With Boubacar Kamara, Amadou Onana, and Ross Barkley all sidelined, youngster Lamare Bogarde is in contention for a rare start.
The 20-year-old could partner Youri Tielemans in the engine room. Further forward, Emi Buendia may join captain John McGinn and Morgan Rogers in supporting the ever-present striker, Ollie Watkins.
Predicted Aston Villa starting XI vs Everton: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen; Bogarde, Tielemans; McGinn, Rogers, Buendia; Watkins.
Villa will play after all seven teams below them this weekend, but they are guaranteed to remain in third place regardless of other results. The stage is set for a fascinating tactical battle as Villa's formidable home streak meets Everton's improved away resolve.
