Aston Villa and Everton have unveiled their starting lineups for today's Premier League encounter, with both managers forced into significant changes following recent cup action and suspensions.
Villa Adjust to Kamara Absence
Unai Emery has made two alterations to the Aston Villa side that secured an FA Cup victory over Tottenham last weekend. The most notable change sees Youri Tielemans step into the midfield, directly replacing the injured Boubacar Kamara.
In attack, Ollie Watkins returns to lead the line, taking the place of Donyell Malen, who has since completed a loan move to Italian side Roma. The defensive unit remains consistent, with Emiliano Martínez in goal behind a back four of Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, and Ian Maatsen.
Everton's Attacking Reshuffle
For the visitors, Sean Dyche has also opted for two changes following Everton's Cup defeat to Sunderland. The major news is the return of Jack Grealish to the starting eleven, with the winger taking the place of Tyler Dibling.
Up front, Thierno Barry gets the nod to replace Beto. Everton continue to be without defender Michael Keane, who is serving the second match of a three-game suspension. Jordan Pickford starts in goal, protected by a defence including James Tarkowski and Vitaliy Mykolenko.
Full Team Sheets and Bench Strength
Aston Villa are set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation: Martínez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen; Bogarde, Tielemans; McGinn, Buendía, Rogers; Watkins. Their substitutes include Bizot, Wright, Lindelöf, Digne, and Mings.
Everton will match that shape: Pickford; Patterson, Tarkowski, O’Brien, Mykolenko; Garner, Röhl; McNeil, Armstrong, Grealish; Barry. Options from the bench for Dyche feature Travers, Coleman, Beto, and Campbell.
The alterations highlight the squads' depth and the immediate impact of the January transfer window, with both sides aiming to secure crucial Premier League points.
