Aston Villa vs Everton Premier League preview, team news and prediction

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Aston Villa's European charge continues as they host an Everton side in the Premier League that has clearly suffered from players missing due to AFCON this January.

The Villains have been superb under Unai Emery this season, as the home side sits third in the league standings, and their impressive home form has been key to their success. Aston Villa have lost only once at home this season, which was at the end of August. Since then, the Villains have won their previous eight league matches at Villa Park, scoring at least two goals in seven of those eight victories on home soil. Aston Villa are heading into this game with no defeats in their previous three matches across all competitions, following their 2-1 away win against Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup.

The Toffees have missed the creativity of Iliman Ndiaye and the midfield security of Idrissa Gueye, which has been reflected in the recent form of David Moyes' side. Everton are winless in their previous three matches and have picked up only one win in their last seven matches in all competitions, following their penalty shootout defeat against Sunderland in the FA Cup at the weekend. Everton have failed to keep a clean sheet in three matches and will be without the services of Michael Keane, who is serving a suspension.

For this fixture, we can only see an Aston Villa victory here. The Villains have an incredible home record, and it will unlikely be scuppered against an Everton side struggling for consistency.

Villa will continue to be without Amdaou Onana (thigh) as well as long-term absentee Ross Barkley (knee) while Evan Guessand may be rested despite returning from international duty after Ivory Coast's exit from the Africa Cup of Nations. Emery has some hope in Emi Martinez potentially returning from a calf injury but faces a late fitness test while Boubacar Kamara (knee) remains a doubt for this weekend's match.

For the Toffees, Michael Keane's suspension remains active after an appeal was rejected and will miss out on the trip to Villa Park. Defensive issues continue with Seamus Coleman and Jarrad Branthwaite (both thigh) remain out for potentially the rest of the month. Midfielder Timothy Iroegbuunam remains a doubt with a slight injury in his hip but is currently being assessed while Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall continues his month-long recovering from a thigh injury.

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