Everton suffer double blow before their clash with Aston Villa after red card and injury but appeal confirmed

Aston Villa fans are having a season to remember and have enjoyed their best start to a league campaign since the 1998/99 campaign when they were managed by John Gregory. Optimism at Villa Park has rapidly grown since Unai Emery’s arrival last term, but few could have predicted that the West Midlands outfit would be involved in the title race six months ago.

Many Villa fans are dreaming of a shock title win and their next Premier League game sees them face off against a tricky Everton team who have remarkably climbed out of the relegation despite a 10 point deduction. Sean Dyche’s men were one of the in-form teams in the league throughout November and early December, but they are currently experiencing a blip after defeats to Tottenham, Manchester City and Wolves.

Dyche’s men are currently one point above the drop zone and will hope to stage an upset against Aston Villa to boost their survival hopes. However, if they are to get a win they will most likely have to do so without star striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin who was sent off during his side’s 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace in the FA Cup. The 11-time England international was controversially sent off for Everton in the 79th minute after a VAR review for a tackle on Palace defender Nathaniel Clyne.

Everton were left baffled when Calvert-Lewin was given his marching orders. The on-field referee did not initially give a foul for the striker's challenge on Clyne yet VAR recommended the on-field referee to review the incident - and Kavanagh branded a red card.

Suspensions from the FA Cup are carried through into league matches. Everton have appealed the decision but will lose the 26-year-old for league games against Aston Villa, Fulham and the FA Cup replay against Palace if it is not successful.

Everton’s woes were compounded by further bad news in the Palace game when Dwight McNeil suffered an ankle injury that required lengthy treatment. Speaking after the game, Dyche said on McNeil's fitness: "It's early yet but Dwight is in the dressing room and calm, which is a good sign. Hopefully, it's a swollen ankle but it's too early to tell."

Everton will hope to welcome McNeil back into the team for the game against Aston Villa, although his absence would come as a boost to Emery’s hopes of securing all three points.

Aston Villa will compete in the FA Cup against Middlesbrough this weekend, just a week before their Premier League clash against the Toffees. The Villains are chasing their first major trophy since the League Cup in 1996 and it remains to be seen whether Emery will make wholesale changes to prioritise his side's title push.