Aston Villa predicted lineup vs Everton as Boubacar Kamara and Emi Martinez injury decisions made

Aston Villa return to Villa Park this Sunday afternoon as they play host to Everton in the Premier League.

Unai Emery’s side will be eager to extend their remarkable home run of 11 consecutive victories, making it a dozen and breaking a club record in the process.

The Villans are definitely the favourites to make that happen this weekend, especially after their comfortable 2-1 victory away at Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup. Emery rotated out the likes of Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins for that game, so many of his players will feel replenished.

Everton won’t be easy to beat as they’re in and around the mid-table positions, but they’ve struggled to score enough goals recently. The Toffees have netted five in their last five outings, conceding six. Managed by David Moyes, Everton can be unpredictable and so Emery is bound to show the visitors plenty of respect.

Boubacar Kamara’s injury has thrown a spanner in the works, while Emiliano Martinez remains a doubt with a calf problem. Amadou Onana and Ross Barkley remain out, but other than that, Emery has a fully-fit squad to select from.

Aston Villa predicted lineup vs Everton

With all of that in mind, here’s the starting XI we reckon Emery will name against the Toffees.

GK - Emiliano Martinez: The World Cup winner is bound to start whenever he’s fit. The question in this case is whether he’s recovered from his calf issue. As it’s minor, he might just be back in time. Marco Bizot has done a great job in the interim and can always step up if Martinez isn’t ready.

RB - Matty Cash: One of the first names on the team sheet, Cash has proven to be a very reliable asset for Emery. There was once a time Emery was unsure about his right-back options but Cash has now adapted to the manager’s system.

CB - Ezri Konsa: Villa’s number four has had the odd shaky moment this season but he’s been brilliant most of the time. Konsa will be eager to carry on his fine form ahead of the World Cup.

CB - Pau Torres: After managing the full 90 minutes against Spurs after returning from injury, there’s no reason Pau shouldn’t be starting week in and week out. It feels harsh to bench Victor Lindelof, but Pau is ultimately the better option.

LB - Ian Maatsen: Emery has chopped and changed between Maatsen and Digne this season. It’s basically a coin toss at this point as to who will start each game. In this case, Maatsen may get the nod thanks to his pace.

CDM - Lamare Bogarde: Proving to be a brilliant utility option, Bogarde’s versatility can be tapped into at the base of midfield. Kamara will miss two to three weeks with his knee injury, Birmingham World understands.

CDM - Youri Tielemans: Always reliable in whichever midfield role he plays, Tielemans has been superb again so far this season. The Belgian may have to play in the pivot with international teammate Amadou Onana still out.

CAM - Emiliano Buendia: Villa’s man of the match against Spurs with a goal and assist, Buendia will be keen to start once again. He’s got a good chance of doing so, too, with Tielemans in that deeper position.

RW - John McGinn: The skipper has played in a host of roles and he’s set to continue, this time likely to feature on the right flank. McGinn has been in a good run of form lately.

LW - Morgan Rogers: Undroppable when available, Rogers simply has to start. Rogers has been in every Premier League XI so far this season, scoring seven goals and providing four assists.

ST - Ollie Watkins: As Donyell Malen is set to join Roma, Watkins is highly likely to start every game for the foreseeable. Villa are eager to sign Tammy Abraham, but nothing is done yet.