Lampard drops £75k-p/w star, Rondon starts in 4 changes: Predicted Everton XI vs Villa - opinion

Everton return to action today as they travel to face Aston Villa in their first Premier League away game of the season.

Toffees boss Frank Lampard will not be feeling too disheartened going into this game despite a 1-0 opening day defeat to Chelsea, as many felt his side impressed despite the result. They will be hoping to turn over a Villa side who lost to newly-promoted AFC Bournemouth.

What will worry the manager is the injuries suffered both before and during their clash at Goodison Park, which will lend to his team selection for Saturday’s early fixture.

Here’s the XI we’re predicting for today’s encounter…

In goal, Jordan Pickford is unlikely to lose his spot after a pretty quiet game against Premier League giants Chelsea.

The back five however will have to be shaken up somewhat after it was revealed that Ben Godfrey suffered a fractured fibula during the game and will be out for around three months.

Yerry Mina also was removed early having sustained an ankle ligament injury which will also see him ruled out for the foreseeable future.

It is likely therefore that Conor Coady will be thrown in for his full debut at the heart of three centre-backs, likely flanked by James Tarkowski and Mason Holgate, who came on for Godfrey last Saturday.

Nathan Patterson and Vitaly Mykolenko are unlikely to lose their spots at wing-back, but Ruben Vinagre did impress from the bench.

There could be another debut in line for Amadou Onana, who was announced as the club’s newest signing on Tuesday despite being in attendance for their loss to Chelsea.

If fit, he would likely replace £75k-per-week midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure, who did impress despite conceding the penalty. It is just unlikely that the relentless Alex Iwobi will be