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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Phil Kirkbride & Adam Jones & Sam Carroll & Connor O'Neill

Everton line-ups for Aston Villa as Abdoulaye Doucoure decision made and Josh King rewarded

Phil Kirkbride - Just one enforced change

The injury to Yerry Mina will force Carlo Ancelotti into a change from the side that saw off West Ham on Sunday.

And the continued absence of James Rodriguez continues to leave the manager with a dilemma.

But, as far as he can, Ancelotti should stick with the side that started at the London stadium but he may wish to tweak the formation.

Everton used a 3-4-1-2 formation against West Ham but he could revert to the 4-4-2 diamond he has employed at times this season

My team (4-4-2): Pickford; Coleman, Keane, Godfrey, Digne; Allan, Doucoure, Davies, Sigurdsson; Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin.

Adam Jones - Go for it

Yes, Everton built their last victory on being solid and organised defensively. I get that.

And, it's true that Carlo Ancelotti's side have in fact been much better in that sense throughout the season than they have when attempting to take the initiative to teams.

But, Aston Villa proved the other week that if you're passive against them, they will be able to punish you. They might not have Ollie Watkins this time around, but that should only encourage Everton to go on the offensive a little more.

The absence of Yerry Mina should see the Blues revert to a back four and should spell a long-awaited return for Abdoulaye Doucoure in a three-man midfield next to Allan and just in front of Tom Davies.

Meanwhile, up front, why not give Josh King the chance from the start he desperately craves? He should have had a goal against West Ham, so reward him for his efforts.

Everton can't afford to sit back too much again and let the hosts dictate.

My team (4-3-3): Pickford; Coleman, Keane, Godfrey, Digne; Davies, Allan; Doucoure; Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin, King.

Sam Carroll - Abdoulaye Doucoure returns

Don't change a winning team.

Unless Abdoulaye Doucoure is ready, of course.

Everton were excellent in every department at West Ham United and it is important for Carlo Ancelotti to not rotate the formula too much. The shape that won in London will give the visitors their best chance at Aston Villa.

Gylfi Sigurdsson is given license to roam from the left while Doucoure slots into midfield alongside Tom Davies and Allan, who were both excellent against West Ham.

My team (4-3-3): Pickford; Coleman, Keane, Godfrey, Digne; Allan, Davies, Doucoure; Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin, Sigurdsson.

Connor O'Neill - Tom Davies has to start

After Sunday’s win over West Ham, it is safe to say that Carlo Ancelotti has another selection headache this evening.

Jordan Pickford will no doubt start in goal, while Seamus Coleman, Michael Keane, Ben Godfrey and Lucas Digne should all make up the back four.

While in midfield, Abdoulaye Doucoure should come back in and be partnered by Tom Davies and Allan.

Out wide, Gylfi Sigurdsson should start on the right, with Richarlison on the left, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin up top.

My team (4-3-3): Pickford; Coleman, Keane, Godfrey, Digne; Allan, Davies, Doucoure; Sigurdsson, Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison.

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