Everton and Aston Villa will go head-to-head this weekend in the Premier League at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, with Unai Emery’s side making their first trip to the Toffees’ new home.
It’s been a strong start to the 2025/2026 campaign for the Toffees, winning two of their opening three league games, while Villa are struggling, sitting in the relegation zone as the top-flight returns after the international break.
Villa have plenty of new additions to consider for their side, while Everton could be looking to keep their form going with some continuity in the XI. GIVEMESPORT has predicted how we expect Emery and Moyes to line up.
Everton Team News
One injury issue Everton could have heading into the game against Aston Villa is Vitalii Mykolenko. The Ukrainian left-back was forced to withdraw during international break due to injury, and he will be in a race against time to be fit enough for the weekend.
Jarrad Branthwaite is likely to be unavailable while he continues his recovery from injury, while Nathan Patterson is yet to feature this season. Adam Aznou could be available after plenty of time to recover over the international break.
|
Everton Injuries and Suspensions |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Player |
Injury |
Potential Return Date |
|
Jarrad Branthwaite |
Thigh |
27/09/2025 |
|
Adam Aznou |
Ankle |
Unknown |
|
Nathan Patterson |
Groin |
Unknown |
|
Vitalii Mykolenko |
Knock |
13/09/2025 |
|
Iliman Ndiaye |
Knock |
13/09/2025 |
David Moyes Drops Everton Team News Update
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Moyes shared an update on his squad ahead of the game.
“Jarrad [Branthwaite] is getting closer but he’s not quite there yet, but he’s certainly getting closer and hopefully we get him back, because he’s a huge player for us.
“He’s a player who we’ve got big value and lots of hopes for him, so we’re looking forward to getting him back.
“No idea [when he’ll be back] but I think it’ll be a few weeks before we’re at that stage.
“Mykolenko is around it, we will have to see. He felt something in the game against Wolves and felt fine to go to Ukraine, but then it was decided he was not ready to feature.
Everton Predicted XI
- Everton Predicted XI: Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Garner; Gueye, Rohl; Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish; Barry.
- Everton Predicted Substitutes: Travers (GK), King (GK), Aznou (DEF), Coleman (DEF), Iroegbunam (MID), Alcaraz (MID), McNeil (MID), Dibling (FWD), Beto (FWD).
Everton could be forced into giving an early debut to new midfielder Merlin Rohl, with James Garner potentially having to drop in at left-back due to Mykolenko’s recent fitness problems.
Other than that, it could be almost an unchanged XI for the Toffees after an impressive performance last time out against Wolves, with the only other alteration being Thierno Barry coming in up front, leaving £100,000-a-week attacking duo Tyler Dibling and Beto on the bench.
Aston Villa Team News
Former Everton duo Amadou Onana and Ross Barkley are doubts heading into this one, with both midfielders missing Villa’s previous game. Matty Cash also picked up an injury during the international break, while Boubacar Kamara and Andres Garcia could also both miss out.
We’lll be waiting to see if new signings Victor Lindelof, Harvey Elliott, or Jadon Sancho makes their debuts.
|
Aston Villa Injuries and Suspensions |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Player |
Injury |
Potential Return Date |
|
Boubacar Kamara |
Hamstring |
21/09/2025 |
|
Ross Barkley |
Other |
Unknown |
|
Andres Garcia |
Other |
21/09/2025 |
|
Matty Cash |
Thigh |
13/09/2025 |
|
Amadou Onana |
Hamstring |
21/09/2025 |
Emery Drops Aston Villa Team News Update
Speaking to their media ahead of their trip to Merseyside, Emery shared an update on his squad.
“They are in the squad. There were working with us last week, this week, the players who were here.
“Different circumstances, each one. For example, Jadon Sancho, he was not training with the group and physically he will need time as well, but he is training normal, and he is in the squad for tomorrow.
“Harvey Elliott, he was playing and training consistently with Liverpool. More or less, he is fit.
“And Lindelöf, he was training as well individually. He started with that two weeks ago and now he is as well available to be with us, but he will need as well, time to know our structure tactically and to know as well how we want to play.
“But every training session we are doing with those players, of course (it) is very, very important to adapt as soon as possible, physically, and in our structure tactically.
“He is available for tomorrow, Matty Cash, yes.
“Yes, he is available. Emi Martínez, Marco Bizot, Sam (Proctor), for tomorrow, those three players, they are in the squad.
“We have some players injured, they are close to coming back, like Andrés García, (Boubacar) Kamara and Amadou Onana.
“We have not available as well, Ross Barkley. He has a personal issue, and I think he will come back or he will be available soon, but not yet. The other players, they are ready, everybody.”
Aston Villa Predicted XI
- Aston Villa Predicted XI: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne; Tielemans, McGinn; Elliott, Rogers, Malen; Watkins.
- Aston Villa Predicted Substitutes: Bizot (GK), Lindelof (DEF), Torres (DEF), Maatsen (DEF), Bogarde (DEF), Buendia (MID), Sancho (FWD), Guessand (FWD).
Emery will be keen to change the fortunes of his side and that could see deadline day arrival Elliott come straight into the starting lineup as a result.
However, there will be no space for fellow arrival Jadon Sancho and Spanish defender Pau Torres, who earn a combined £240,000-a-week, with both players likely to find themselves on the bench.
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