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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
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Alfie Harrison & Joe Thomas & Chris Beesley & Connor O'Neill & Matt C Jones

Everton line-ups for Aston Villa as Neal Maupay and Amadou Onana decisions made

Joe Thomas - Consistency is key

It’s hard to look beyond last week’s starting XI given the result and the momentum this team is building. Consistency in selection and approach are two key points Dyche has brought to this side and his plan has worked so far. Everton were the better side against Leeds but the standard was poor throughout the match. I think that may well have been because so much was riding on it, and Leeds were frenetic and that brought a degree of chaos to the game.

I think this Villa side are dangerous for Everton. They come off the back of three defeats but with Ollie Watkins in top form and a manager who is tactically astute. As ever with Everton, the first goal in this game will be crucial. What could help the Blues is Villa have conceded goals from mistakes and set pieces recently.

They are both areas this side is capable of exploiting. James Tarkowski has had a big chance in every game under Dyche so far - he feels a certainty to get another opportunity to head towards goal today. Demarai Gray may be knocking on the door and Ben Godfrey also features in my thoughts. But today, I keep it the same.

My team (4-1-4-1): Pickford; Mykolenko, Coady, Tarkowski, Coleman; McNeil, Onana, Doucoure, Gueye, Iwobi; Maupay

Chris Beesley - No need for changes after strong start

Two wins from two home games from Sean Dyche after predecessor Frank Lampard oversaw four consecutive defeats at Goodison Park for the first time since 1958 suggests that the new Everton manager should avoid making unnecessary changes against Aston Villa.

The Blues look like they're still without Dominic Calvert-Lewin so after a hard-working shift in the crucial 1-0 victory over Leeds United, Neal Maupay should lead the line again with Ellis Simms looking like a decent option off the bench if the opposition are tiring and the hosts hopefully have a lead to protect.

Amadou Onana was forced off a week ago but fingers crossed he's fit to retain his place in midfield while at the back, I was tempted to give Ben Godfrey a go at left-back seven days ago but thankfully Vitalii Mykolenko put in a much-improved display, growing into the game so Everton should try to be equally as compact against Unai Emery's side who after leading found themselves second best in a six-goal thriller against leaders Arsenal last time out.

My team (4-5-1): Pickford; Coleman, Mykolenko, Coady, Tarkowski; Gueye, Doucoure, Onana, Iwobi, McNeil; Maupay

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Matt Jones - Onana fitness gives Dyche easy decision

Everton were far from fluid in their win over Leeds United last weekend, but you don't anticipate that would have concerned Sean Dyche too much.

With that in mind, it is difficult to envisage too much changing for what will be an altogether tougher challenge against Aston Villa today.

The one major doubt going into the game centred around the fitness of Amadou Onana, but according to the man himself he is 'ready for war' in L4. He, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Idrissa Gueye will continue as a midfield trio.

The back four also looks set to stay in situ after another clean sheet, although there would be some minor temptation to play Ben Godfrey given the pace of Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailey. In attack, with Demarai Gray seemingly needing to do more to impress the new boss, Dwight McNeil and Alex Iwobi will flank Neal Maupay.

My team (4-1-4-1): Pickford; Coleman, Coady, Tarkowski, Mykolenko; Gueye; Iwobi, Doucoure, Onana, McNeil; Maupay

Connor O'Neill - More of the same

After last weekend’s win and performance it is hard to imagine that Sean Dyche will make any changes from the side that beat Leeds United.

That means Jordan Pickford, fresh from signing his new deal, will start in goal, with James Tarkowski and Conor Coady ahead of him. Seamus Coleman and Vitalii Mykolenko will start either side of the experienced pair.

Thankfully Amadou Onana appears to be fit after limping off against Leeds last weekend, and one imagines he will start in the middle with Idrissa Gueye and Abdoulaye Doucoure.

Out wide it is hard not to imagine that Dwight McNeil and Alex Iwobi will be given the nod, with Neal Maupay set to lead the line.

My team (4-5-1): Pickford; Coleman, Coady, Tarkowski, Mykolenko; Iwobi, Gueye, Doucoure, Onana, McNeil; Maupay.

Alfie Harrison - Unchanged XI can exploit Villa weakness

With Aston Villa loving to play across the back line Neal Maupay would be the ideal striker to keep the pressure on. I thought Sean Dyche was very clever with his approach for the Leeds game last Saturday by bringing on fresh legs for the final 10 minutes in Ellis Simms, who personally I though had more of an influence coming off the bench. I felt quite sorry for him in the derby defeat due to him being too isolated.

Everton could also exploit Villa’s vulnerability at set pieces - they have conceded 32% of their goals from basic set pieces. I think Seamus Coleman deserves praise for the absolute courage and willingness to fight for Everton that he has displayed recently.

We saw glimpses of him rolling back the years against Leeds and he has kept players such as Gabrielle Martinelli and Wilfried Gnonto in his back pocket while they are respectively on blistering form for their respective clubs. Following last week’s win and with Amadou Onana recovering from the knee issue that saw him replaced in the second half against Leeds, I think it will be the same XI.

My team (4-5-1): Pickford; Mykolenko, Tarkowski, Coady, Coleman; Iwobi, Gueye, Doucoure, Onana, McNeil; Maupay

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