Aston Villa starting XI vs Everton predicted as Unai Emery could be without seven players.
After defeating Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday in the FA Cup third round, Aston Villa will play their Premier League opener against Everton this weekend.
In the 87th minute, Matty Cash scored to guarantee Villa’s advancement to the next round and the team’s eighth consecutive championship. Villa has had an amazing season thus far. Under Unai Emery, the team is presently in second position in the Premier League and has already advanced to the Europa Conference League round of 16 by winning their group.
Villa saw off Burnley at home on New Year’s Eve to extend their unbeaten home record to 17 games, but their away form could be improved on. It’s currently the seventh-best record in the league, but Villa have only kept one clean sheet on their travels this season and have won two of their last five.
Sunday’s opponents Everton come into the game having won two of their last three home league games, losing 3-1 to champions Man City two weeks ago. Villa are unbeaten against Everton in the league since they were promoted back to the top-flight in 2019.
Emery has four injuries to contend with at the moment as Lucas Digne, Youri Tielemans and Robin Olsen are all out injured, while Pau Torres works his way back to full fitness. Bertrand Traore has headed off to AFCON to represent Burkina Faso, while Tyrone Mings and Emi Buendia are both long-term absentees.
Martinez will start in goal and make his 138th appearance. He has only kept one league clean sheet on the road this season.
The goalkeeper started in the win over Middlesbrough last time out as Robin Olsen was injured.
Ezri Konsa will likely operate from right-back given Emery’s preference of playing three centre-backs in away games.
Cash scored the winning goal against Boro on Saturday, but he could be a player to come off the bench at Goodison Park.
Diego Carlos has started seven of Villa’s last eight Premier League games.
His physicality will be important against a powerful Everton side.
Pau Torres aggravated his ankle injury after coming off the bench against Burnley on New Year’s Eve, but Emery is hopeful he will be able to train before Villa face Everton this week.
The Spaniard missed the FA Cup tie against Boro as he was rested.
Alex Moreno is the only left-back available to Emery this weekend.
Lucas Digne is currently out with a hamstring injury.
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