Aston Villa will be hoping that they can bring captain Jack Grealish back into the fold for their Premier League clash with Everton on Thursday evening.

The 25-year-old has missed the last 12 matches with a shin injury, but the midfielder returned to training this week and there could be a chance for him to feature off the bench at Villa Park.

Trezeguet and Morgan Sanson are both ruled out with knee injuries, although the latter is nearing a return to first-team action and is hoping he can play at some stage before the end of this season.

Ollie Watkins was shown two yellow cards in the defeat to Manchester United last weekend and so he will serve a one-match suspension, which could see striker Wesley start his first game for Villa since New Year's day 2020, after recovering from a cruciate knee ligament injury.

Dean Smith may be tempted to freshen his side up with one or two changes, although the ever-present defensive quartet of Matty Cash, Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa and Matt Targett are all set to keep their places in the first XI.

Marvelous Nakamba could be handed a start alongside John McGinn in central midfield at the expense of Douglas Luiz, while Ross Barkley is set to play against his boyhood club ahead of Jacob Ramsey.

Anwar El Ghazi, who scored the winning goal against Everton earlier this month, will provide width from the left wing, with Bertrand Traore set to start on the opposite flank.

Aston Villa possible starting XI: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett; Nakamba, McGinn; Traore, Barkley, El Ghazi; Wesley

> Click here to see how Everton could line up for this contest

Video prediction

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