Everton and Aston Villa meet at Goodison Park in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
The first-half of the winter break is in effect but the Toffees and Villains have been chosen to play on this side of the break. Both sides will be afforded a break next week, however Everton do have an FA Cup replay against Crystal Palace scheduled.
Villa beat Middlesbrough 1-0 last Saturday thanks to a goal from right-back Matty Cash in the latter stages of the match. A trip to Stamford Bridge on the last weekend of January has now been pencilled in for Unai Emery's side.
The two sides have already met twice this season with a win apiece. It was a convincing 4-0 win at Villa Park back in August when John McGinn, Douglas Luiz, Leon Bailey and Jhon Duran were all on target for the Villains. A month later the Toffees won a Carabao Cup third-round tie at Villa Park thanks to goals from James Garner and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Both sides have yet to make any signings since the opening of the January transfer window, and one player from each club is playing at the Africa Cup of Nations. Sean Dyche had a few 'touch-and-go' decisions to make last week when naming his side against Palace in the FA Cup, and now those players could come in to the fold.
Prior to both managers speaking either on Thursday or Friday where an injury update will be provided, here is the latest injury and team news ahead of Sunday's clash.
1. Emi Buendia - out
He's not expected to return this season after suffering a knee injury in August. | Getty Images
![Dele Alli said on Jan 01: 'Unfortunately, the year isn’t ending as I would have hoped. I had been close to returning to full training, but frustratingly, I’ve had another setback with my injury. I’ll be out again for [a] short while.'](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/12/30/23/35/GettyImages-1419967127.jpg.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
2. Dele Alli - out (continued)
Dele Alli said on Jan 01: 'Unfortunately, the year isn’t ending as I would have hoped. I had been close to returning to full training, but frustratingly, I’ve had another setback with my injury. I’ll be out again for [a] short while.' | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
3. Dele Alli - out
The 27-year-old has not played a competitive fixture since February 26, 2023 for Besiktas. He has been working towards a return but has suffered a slight problem in his recovery and will now continue his rehabilitation. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
4. Out: Tyrone Mings
A knee injury sustained against Newcastle United on the opening day is likely to rule him out for the entirety of the 2023/24 campaign. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images