Frank Lampard sent Anwar El Ghazi message as Everton loan nightmare continues for Aston Villa man

Anwar El Ghazi has struggled to make an impression at Everton since arriving at Goodison Park on loan from Aston Villa in January.

The 26-year-old winger is yet to make a start for the Toffees and has seen just 11 minutes of action so far. El Ghazi signed for Everton under former boss Rafa Benitez, but he was sacked just three days after the Dutchman joined from Villa on loan until the end of the season.

Frank Lampard also joined Everton in January, as he was appointed as the new boss. But it is unlikely that he will hand El Ghazi enough minutes on the pitch for him to make the sort of impact that will tempt the Blues into signing him permanently in the summer.

El Ghazi will enter the final 12 months of his Villa contract at the end of the season and will be out to find a new club at the end of the season. Though, it remains unclear whether or not Everton will move for a permanent transfer as the club are perilously close to slipping out of the Premier League for the first time in their history.

Boss Lampard said of the winger: "I think he can offer, he’s a talented player. I know that from going up against him as a coach. It’s an area where we do have personnel. He has a slightly different skill set to anyone else in that area."

And ahead of Everton's crucial Premier League game against Newcastle at Goodison Park on Thursday night, El Ghazi could make his first start. Blues fans want the Villa loanee to be handed more opportunities from until the end of the season. Here's a sample of what they have been saying on Twitter...

@ : I’m actually surprised El Ghazi doesn’t get more minutes. I know he wasn’t Lampard’s signing, and no one wanted him, but he’s not a bad player and can be a goal threat, god knows we need one