Everton manager David Moyes faces a significant selection headache ahead of his team's Premier League journey to face Aston Villa this weekend, with up to seven first-team players potentially unavailable for the crucial fixture.
Injury and Suspension Woes Mount for Toffees
The Merseyside club travel to Villa Park on the back of a disappointing FA Cup exit, losing on penalties to Sunderland. Their league form has been patchy, with just one win in their last six outings, although their away record shows resilience with only one defeat in five.
The confirmed absentee is defender Michael Keane, who will serve a suspension. His red card for pulling the hair of Wolves' Tolu Arokodare was upheld after an unsuccessful club appeal, ruling him out of the Villa clash.
Grealish Boost for Villa as Everton Await Fitness Tests
In contrast, Aston Villa will welcome back Jack Grealish following his one-match ban. The midfielder missed the Sunderland cup tie after being sent off against Wolves for two bookable offences.
For Everton, the treatment room remains busy. Jarrad Branthwaite, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Seamus Coleman, and Charly Alcaraz all missed the cup defeat through injury. Moyes is set to provide updates in his pre-match press conference but offered a glimmer of hope regarding Branthwaite last week, stating, "Jarrad is back on the grass and going well, so hopefully he's not too far away."
AFCON Departures Further Deplete Everton Squad
Compounding Moyes's issues are the prolonged absences of Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gana Gueye. The influential duo are representing Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations and will not be available for selection.
This perfect storm of suspension, injury, and international duty leaves Everton's resources severely tested as they seek a positive result at Villa Park to improve their Premier League standing.
