The latest Everton injury news ahead of the Toffees hosting Aston Villa as Sean Dyche provides updates on Abdoulaye Doucoure and Dwight McNeil before Sunday’s match.
Top-flight football returns to Goodison Park this weekend as Everton return from the winter break. Dyche’s side were last in action when they drew 0-0 with Crystal Palace in the FA Cup on January 4. Aston Villa also mark their first Premier League opponent since December 30.
Everton will hope to return to winning ways this Sunday after losing each of their past three Premier League fixtures. The Merseyside natives now sit just one point above the relegation places. Luton Town in 18th place have also played one fewer fixture than the Toffees to date.
Everton injury list ahead of hosting Aston Villa
Everton winning their appeal against Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s red card at Crystal Palace will boost Dyche’s hopes against Aston Villa. The striker faced a three-game ban after VAR Craig Pawson got referee Chris Kavanagh to check a serious foul on Nathaniel Clyne in the FA Cup.
Calvert-Lewin’s availability is the only certain bit of positive team news Everton have ahead of Aston Villa’s visit. Dyche has confirmed that the Toffees’ injured players are not certain to return or start this Sunday. So, with that in mind, here is Everton’s current injury situation…
Abdoulaye Doucoure injury latest
Everton are due to welcome Doucoure back from his hamstring injury when they host Aston Villa this weekend. But Toffees boss Dyche admits it is still too early to tell if the 31-year-old will start the fixture. He has missed their past three Premier League games due to the injury.
Doucoure suffered his injury during Everton’s 2-0 win at Burnley in December and had to go off at half-time. Everton lost each of their top-flight fixtures without the midfielder, as well. He is also their top goalscorer in the Premier League so far this season with six in 17 games.
“He’s been training,” Dyche said during his pre-game press conference. “So, we’re hopeful. Obviously, Friday today, so two days before the game. But [we’re] hopeful that he’s fine and he certainly looks fine.”
Expected return: Aston Villa (January 14)
Dwight McNeil injury latest
Toffees ace McNeil will not be available for Dyche when Everton meet Aston Villa due to his ankle injury. The Blues coach believes the forward was ‘lucky’ to avoid a more serious injury in the FA Cup at Crystal Palace. But they will have to make do without him at least this week.
Medics had to stretcher McNeil off at Selhurst Park during the goalless third-round draw. He went to the ground after a teammate seemed to stand on the 24-year-old’s ankle. But Dyche feels McNeil’s ankle has settled quickly and could be available for Everton’s following games.
“It settled really quick,” Dyche said during his pre-game press conference on Friday ahead of Everton’s match with Aston Villa. “I think he’s been very lucky. Sometimes them injuries can fool you. It looked a nasty one, it felt nasty at the time but it settled down really, really quick.
“So, we’re hoping for this one [he is] probably touch-and-go. But, [I] doubt he’ll make this one. But the next one, he’s got a chance. So, we’ll see. But he’s been very lucky, I think.”
Expected return: Crystal Palace (January 17)
Idrissa Gana Gueye injury latest
Everton midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye has all but recovered from his calf injury after joining the Senegal side at AFCON 2023. The 34-year-old had to miss the Blues’ past two Premier League games with the issue. But his return now hinges on Senegal’s progress at AFCON.
Senegal will start their AFCON campaign against Gambia on January 15, before Group B ties with Cameroon (January 19) and Guinea (January 23). The Lions de la Teranga will strive to go deep into the tournament, however. Senegal are the defending AFCON 2021 champions.
Expected return: February
Ashley Young injury latest
Everton boss Dyche also said during his pre-Aston Villa press conference that Ashley Young is back ‘out on the grass’ at Finch Farm. He also believes the 38-year-old should return to fitness soon. The right-back has missed the last four Premier League games with his injury.
Young sustained a hamstring injury as Everton beat Chelsea 2-0 at Goodison in December. It forced Dyche to replace the veteran defender with Nathan Patterson, who has since started in Young’s absence. But Patterson has also drawn yellow cards during his last three games.
Expected return: February
Dele Alli injury latest
Everton remain without Dele Alli as the midfielder continues to recover from a groin injury. Dyche confirmed before the Toffees’ FA Cup third-round tie with Crystal Palace that he still needs time to recover. The 27-year-old is still yet to feature in a competitive game this term.
“He’s been assessed,” Dyche noted. “He’s got an injury that still needs time. We’ve been trying to take the heat away from that to allow him time [to recover].”
Expected return: Unclear
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