Everton face Aston Villa at Goodison Park as Sean Dyche’s side looks for their second consecutive win after a resilient 1-0 win over Leeds United. Everton’s two wins in last three games have lifted them out of the drop zone but ahead of the Villa tie, Everton will be concerned over the fitness of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Amadou Onana.
Calvert-Lewin started the game against Arsenal but was taken off as a precaution in the second half. Dyche later revealed that the Englishman was battling a hamstring issue and would undergo scans. The 25 year old felt tightness in his hamstring and has missed the subsequent ties against Liverpool and Leeds.
Dyche and the medical team are working hard to understand Calvert-Lewin’s condition and help him regain full fitness. The 25 year old has missed over 50% of the Premier League games this season because of injuries, which isn’t an encouraging sign if you are the prime striker of the club.
Everton midfielder Amadou Onana fit but Dominic Calvert-Lewin ruled out
Last weekend, Onana was taken off in the 74th minute as he was battling a knee issue and looked in discomfort early on in the game. Dyche revealed in his post game presser that Onana’s injury isn’t looking too serious but the supporters have kept their fingers crossed over the Belgian.
The 21 year old has been a monumental part of Everton’s midfield and his absence will be felt massively if he is unavailable. Meanwhile, James Garner and Nathan Patterson have returned to the pitch and played 60+ minutes for the Everton U21 side last weekend, which was watched by Dyche.
Ahead of the clash against Unai Emery’s Villa, Dyche addressed the media and provided an injury update on the condition of Calvert-Lewin, Onana and others.
"I don’t think so [he’ll be available], he’s [Dominic Calvert-Lewin] building up well though. He’s on the grass. He’s not with us yet but that’ll come quite quickly. He’s building up well. Human body is not definite but our intention is to get him fit as fit as possible. We can hopefully break this spell of ins and outs and the ups and downs with the injuries.I want all players available. Patto [Patterson] is coming back. He’s got a little minor knock on his knee so that delayed his training this week. Jimmy [Garner] is coming back. Am [Amadou Onana] is not serious, more of a knock so we have been monitoring that but he is training but he’s fit (via club’s YouTube Channel)"
With Garner returning and Onana fit, Dyche will have plenty of options in the midfield. However, the absence of Calvert-Lewin will continue to sting the Toffees. The minor hurdle in Patterson’s return will not worry Dyche much, even though he will be out for this weekend. Seamus Coleman will do the required job as he has done in the last few games.
Will Amadou Onana start against Villa?