Jhon Duran decision made as Unai Emery performs ‘harsh’ benching - Aston Villa predicted XI vs Everton

Aston Villa return to Premier League action on Wednesday night as they travel away to relegation battlers Everton.

Unai Emery’s men arrive for their final-ever league fixture at Goodison Park in improved form having beaten Leicester City and West Ham United in the past 10 days. Both performances warranted victories and Villa finally looked back near their best, but they now face an Everton side under new management.

The Toffees sent shockwaves last Friday as they sacked Sean Dyche merely hours before their FA Cup win over Peterborough United. Club legends Seamus Coleman and Leighton Baines took to the touchline in Dyche’s absence and Everton have since hired David Moyes for a second spell, 11 years on from his exit for Manchester United.

New manager bounces don’t always take place - as seen by Graham Potter’s defeat at Villa Park in his first game as West Ham boss - but Everton’s players will be determined to impress Moyes. Emery is bound to be aware of just that and he’ll show great respect to his opposition, likely naming as strong a lineup as possible.

There are a few selection dilemmas to consider this midweek, namely whether to start striker Jhon Duran upon his return from suspension. Ollie Watkins scored one and assisted two in Duran’s absence, so it’s a tough call. There will definitely be changes elsewhere in the team with Emiliano Martinez back and Ross Barkley now sidelined.

With all of that in mind, here’s the Villa team we reckon will start at Goodison.

Aston Villa predicted lineup vs Everton

GK - Emi Martinez

The World Cup winner missed the West Ham FA Cup clash through a small injury but Emery has since confirmed he’s back to fitness.

RB - Matty Cash

Cash is likely to start consecutively with Diego Carlos injured but he needs to step up to keep his place for when Villa sign a new right-sided defender.

CB - Ezri Konsa

Konsa will have to play a lot of minutes over the next few weeks as Villa continue their busy run. Carlos and Pau being out puts Emery into a tricky situation.

CB - Tyrone Mings

It’s not the circumstances Villa would’ve wanted with Pau being sidelined for two months but it’s a great opportunity for Mings to return to his best.

LB - Lucas Digne

It seems very harsh to bench Maatsen after an assist against Leicester and a good showing against West Ham but Digne remains Emery’s preferred choice.

RM - Leon Bailey

Lifted by his first goal of the season against Leicester 10 days ago, Bailey will be keen to build momentum for the rest of the campaign.

CM - Boubacar Kamara

Kamara has seriously impressed over the last couple of months, very much getting back to his strongest. Emery loves having the Frenchman at the base of midfield.

CM - Amadou Onana

In for the injured Ross Barkley, Onana could make his first start since the Boxing Day defeat at Newcastle.

LM - Morgan Rogers

Almost just as effective on the left as he is through the centre, Rogers enjoys tucking in and taking on defenders to kick-start attacks.

CAM - Youri Tielemans

The Belgium international has so often been one of Villa’s best players, even during defeats. He’s shown in recent weeks how effective he can be in the 10 position.

ST - Jhon Duran

It’s a tough call but Duran was ahead of Ollie Watkins in the pecking order before his suspension and he could well move back in for the England international.