Carlo Ancelotti’s Toffees will look to advance on their pursuit of European football as they travel to Aston Villa

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Everton delivered a sucker-punch to West Ham last time out, beating David Moyes’ side to enhance their chances of achieving European football for next season.

Just a fortnight after their loss to Dean Smith’s Villans, the Toffees face a trip to Villa Park with plenty on the table.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s 24^th minute strike proved to be the costly factor for the Irons, putting a dent in West Ham’s ambitions. However, Carlo Ancelotti will be looking to build upon their successful day in the capital and push for Europa League qualification.

The Toffees have endured a four-year absence away from European football, last playing in 2017 under Ronald Koeman, although Everton failed to make it out of the group stages on that occasion. Under Ancelotti, the Blues look like a team that’s ready to once again grace the stage that their fans have desired for some time.

Everton will travel to the midlands without Yerry Mina and James Rodriguez, the former Real Madrid man picked up a slight knock in his pre-match warm-ups against Villa two weeks ago and still remains sidelined. Mina suffered a thigh injury in the Toffees’ 1-0 win in London last weekend.

The Villans will also be without Jack Grealish, despite the positive news from Smith stating that the number ten is back in training – it appears that it’ll be too soon for the midfielder to return to action. Potentially harming the 25-year-old’s shot at getting a call-up for the European Championships.

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In addition to this, Ollie Watkins will be out of the matchday squad following his red card in Villa’s 3-1 defeat to Manchester United. This will be a massive boost for Everton, having to prepare now for the likes of Keinan Davis instead.

With relegations already decided, as well as the Premier League champions, the race for those final European spots will be at the centre of attention for the last four matchdays.

Ancelotti’s men are just three points behind Moyes’ Irons, who currently sit fifth. A Europa League spot is well within their grasp should they record another impressive result against Aston Villa and their positive form continues for the rest of the campaign.

The perfect opportunity beckons for Everton however, it’s a matter if the players are up to it. With Sheffield United, Wolves and already crowned champions, Man City left to play – the run in definitely goes in favour of the Toffees.

Calvert-Lewin has enjoyed his highest scoring season yet, with 16 goals on the tally, the 24-year-old will look to add another goal to his name. Their hosts haven’t kept a clean sheet since the 6^th of March, in a 0-0 draw against Wolves, making for grim reading if you’re an Aston Villa fan.

Seb Mannell will be at Villa Park as the Villans play host to the Toffees, a monumental game for Everton who’ll look to seek revenge on their hosts, you can get live updates as all the action unfolds here: Seb Mannell’s Twitter

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