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.
9. Dwight McNeil - doubt (continued)
Sean Dyche said on Jan 05: 'It's early 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.' | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
10. Lucas Digne - out
Suffered a hamstring injury against Manchester United on Boxing Day. Expected to be out for the next couple of weeks however he did upload a photo of himself in training on Wednesday. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
11. Lucas Digne - out (continued)
Unai Emery said on Dec 29: 'Lucas is injured; he's going to be out of the team for some weeks. We will hope Lucas is coming back in 20-25 days.' | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
12. Abdoulaye Doucoure - out
Doucoure has been missing for the last few games with a hamstring injury. He has rejected a Mali call-up for the Africa Cup of Nations, however is a doubt for this Sunday when the tournament begins this weekend. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images