Everton v Aston Villa: Premier League – live

Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature Live feed Key events 19m ago Team news 24m ago Preamble Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature 19m ago 08.05 EST Team news Two changes for Everton from the FA Cup draw at Crystal Palace. Jordan Pickford replaces Joao Virginia in goal, while Abdoulaye Doucoure returns from injury.

He’s in for Dwight McNeil, who is only fit enough for the bench. Villa made a load of changes for last weekend’s FA Cup win at Middlesbrough, so it’s probably more relevant that there’s only one change from the side that beat Burnley in their last leaguer game: Boubacar Kamara in, the injured Jacob Ramsey out.

Everton (possible 4 2 3 1) Pickford; Coleman, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Onana, Garner; Harrison, Doucoure, Danjuma; Calvert Lewin. Substitutes: Virginia, Patterson, Keane, Godfrey, Gomes, McNeil, Dobbin, Chermiti, Beto. Aston Villa (possible 4 2 2 2) Martinez; Konsa, Diego Carlos, Lenglet, Alex Moreno; Kamara, Douglas Luiz; Bailey, McGinn; Diaby, Watkins.

Substitutes: Marschall, Wright, Cash, Tielemans, Zaniolo, Duran, Dendoncker, Iroegbunam. Referee David Coote. Updated at 08.12 EST 24m ago 08.00 EST Preamble Surely it’s not happening again? Less than a month ago Everton were seven points clear of the relegation places, and the FA could shove the other 10 points where they pleased.

But after three straight defeats, two of them noble efforts against title challengers, they are only above Luton on goal difference. Everton should be fine, because Sean Dyche has turned them into a serious football team again, but they may have to go through the wringer first. This is Everton’s run of Premier League games, starting with the trip to Tottenham just before Christmas.

Spurs (A) 1 2 Man City (H) 1 3 Wolves (A) 0 3 Aston Villa (H) Fulham (A) Spurs (H) Man City (A) C Palace (H) Brighton (A) West Ham (H) Man Utd (A) Liverpool (H) Bournemouth (A) Newcastle (A) Now that’s what you call a tough mudder. It gets easier in April and May – how could it not – but Everton may not have the serene second half of the season that many of us envisaged.

The good news is that Dyche, a man with two of the steadiest knees in English football, will hold his nerve even if things get hairy again. And Everton’s recent home performances, most notably the wins over Newcastle and Chelsea, suggest Goodison Park might be becoming the thrillingly inhospitable place of old.

If Everton retain a healthy mental state, those home games in particular will be opportunities rather than impediments. That includes today’s admittedly tough match against Aston Villa, who are still right in the title race despite a mini blip. A win today would move them up to second, behind Liverpool on goal difference.

It would also leave Everton thankful for their goal difference. Kick off 2pm. Updated at 08.04 EST Explore more on these topics Premier League Premier League live Aston Villa Everton Reuse this content.