Jadon Sancho is unavailable for Aston Villa against Everton due to illness.placeholder image
Jadon Sancho is unavailable for Aston Villa against Everton due to illness. | Getty Images
The latest on Jadon Sancho’s fitness as the Manchester United loanee misses Aston Villa’s clash with Everton.
Jadon Sancho has been omitted from Aston Villa’s matchday squad to take on Everton in the Premier League.
The Manchester United loanee has been in and out of Unai Emery’s starting line-ups recently but he isn’t even in the squad today, leaving the Villans very light of attacking substitutes. Only Evann Guessand, back in following his return from the Africa Cup of Nations, offers any proven threat off the bench.
Villa fans might have been worried when they saw the line-up that Sancho is injured, however it’s understood the winger is instead missing through illness. When Birmingham World sought corroboration, a source close to Villa confirmed Sancho is ‘unwell’.
Supporters needn’t worry as a result, though it’s still a blow for the here and now as Villa could have done with some more options off the bench. Instead, Emery may have to turn to Guessand and promising youngster Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba if Villa need fresh legs up top at any stage.
Aston Villa vs Everton lineups
Here’s how both sides shape up in full at Villa Park.
Villa XI (4-2-3-1): Martinez (GK); Cash, Konsa, Pau, Maatsen; Bogarde, Tielemans; McGinn, Buendia, Rogers; Watkins.
Villa subs: Bizot (GK), Wright (GK), Lindelof, Digne, Garcia, Mings, Hemmings, Guessand, Jimoh-Aloba.
Everton XI (4-2-3-1): Pickford (GK); Patterson, Tarkowski, O’Brien, Mykolenko; Garner, Rohl; McNeil, Armstrong, Grealish; Barry.
Everton subs: Travers (GK), King (GK), Beto, Dibling, Coleman, Aznou, Welch, Campbell.
Villa can move with second with win
If Villa are able to do what they couldn’t away at the Hill Dickinson Stadium back in August and beat Everton, then they will leapfrog Manchester City and shift up to second in the Premier League.
It’s a brilliant opportunity for Villa today as City suffered a shock 2-0 defeat to Manchester United, whereas league leaders Arsenal dropped points in a surprise 0-0 draw away at Nottingham Forest.
If Villa do claim maximum points against the Toffees, not only will they break a club record by winning a 12th successive Premier League game at Villa Park, but they will move to within four points of Arsenal.
Emery has always insisted that Villa are not in the title race, and that seemed so after the 4-1 defeat at the Emirates last month, but they could throw themselves back into the mix with a victory today. With or without Sancho, Villa - as the clear favourites - should have the necessary tools to make that a reality.
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