Aston Villa handed double boost because of Premier League rule ahead of Everton clash

Aston Villa have one less thing to worry about ahead of Sunday's trip to Everton as a Premier League rule has now come into effect after passing the halfway stage of the 2023/24 season.

Players who were previously walking the suspension tightrope can now breathe a sigh of relief as the yellow card threshold has been increased. Premier League rules state that any player who is booked five times in their team's opening 19 fixtures must serve a one-match ban.

Nicolo Zaniolo and Jhon Duran are both on four yellows but as Villa are now 20 games in they won't be punished. Reaching 10 bookings in 32 matches will result in a two-match suspension, but that's a long way off.

John McGinn was close to a ban, too, as he picked up his fifth yellow last time out – during the 3-2 win over Burnley. Had the skipper been booked one game earlier, he would've missed that particular clash.

Everton are also relieved by reaching the 20-game mark as Nathan Patterson, Ashley Young and Abdoulaye Doucoure are all on four yellow cards. Sunday's game at Goodison Park kicks off at 2pm and it will be aired live on Sky Sports.