Everton star has his biggest audition yet against Aston Villa as David Moyes ponders big call

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Everton have the unenviable task of playing against Aston Villa this weekend – and for one player it is a massive weekend.

David Moyes is looking to get things back on track after a poor start to 2026.

The Toffees got dumped out of the FA Cup last weekend by Sunderland, who triumphed in a penalty shootout.

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But before that, Everton stumbled in the Premier League, losing 4-2 to Brentford and then drawing 1-1 with bottom club Wolves.

All of these games were at home, and it is slightly concerning that the Hill Dickinson Stadium hasn’t really become the fortress everyone hoped it would be.

But it’s a trip to Villa Park on Sunday – and for Harrison Armstrong it’s a huge game.

• READ MORE: Everton may have another Harrison Armstrong in their academy as ‘unbelievable’ gem earns rave review

Harrison Armstrong has to take any chance he gets vs Aston Villa

Armstrong returned to Everton at the start of the month, with David Moyes looking for additional cover.

He’d been doing well at Preston North End, but fans were delighted to see him recalled.

There are very high hopes for Armstrong, and he’s now made a handful of appearances for the first-team. He was given his Premier League debut against Wolves which was a great moment for him.

And so far, he hasn’t looked too out of place.

However, one gets the feeling that if Armstrong is going to stick around, he’ll need a strong few weeks.

This weekend, there is a reasonable chance he will be given another start against Villa – but he will need to make the most of it because next week Idrissa Gana Gueye is back at Everton.

Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye have been at AFCON, and both players have made it all the way to the final with Senegal.

After Sunday’s game with Morocco they’ll return, and Armstrong will need to have put himself in a strong position after Villa.

Because Gueye is obviously a key player who Moyes is surely going to bring back in straight away.

• READ MORE: James Garner gives verdict on how Harrison Armstrong is getting on since returning to Everton

Moyes ready to send Armstrong back to Preston

We know that Moyes has been keen to send Armstrong back on loan to Preston in order to further his football development and education.

Preston boss Paul Heckingbottom made it clear he would have Armstrong back if it’s the right move for the player, and there will be dialogue between the two clubs.

Armstrong is surely keen to remain where he is though, having now dipped his toe in first-team action for his boyhood club.

But in order to do that he needs to make a big impression – and a great performance against a very strong Aston Villa side would do wonders for his prospects.

As well as Gueye returning, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall will also be coming back from injury soon, so that’s even more of a reason why this Villa game is so important for Armstrong.