90min

Aston Villa predicted lineup vs Everton - Premier League

By Tom Gott

Danny Ings is in line to start
Danny Ings is in line to start / James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images
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Aston Villa will look to settle the ship and rediscover their best form when they face Everton at Villa Park on Saturday.

Despite spending big in the summer, Dean Smith's side have been a bit all over the place so far this year, picking up just four points from their first four games and shipping seven goals across that time - a problem the return of Emiliano Martinez should help solve.

Here's how Villa could set up for this one.

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Emiliano Martinez
Martinez should be back in action / Alexandre Schneider/Getty Images

Emiliano Martinez (GK) - Martinez has been keeping fit while isolating in Croatia so should be thrown straight back into the starting lineup for this one.

Matty Cash (RB) - A target of the Poland national team, Cash is Villa's undisputed starter at right-back.

Ezri Konsa (CB) - Still looking for the credit he deserves, Konsa will hope for a big performance here.

Tyrone Mings (CB) - The 3-5-2 setup didn't work against Chelsea, so one of Mings or Axel Tuanzebe is likely to drop to the bench, and the Man Utd loanee won't fancy his chances of winning that battle.

Matt Targett (LB) - Even with Ashley Young on the books these days, Targett is close to a guaranteed starter when fit.

2. Midfielders

Douglas Luiz
Luiz should start in midfield / Eddie Keogh/Getty Images

Douglas Luiz (DM) - The switch of formation should see Luiz return to the base of Villa's midfield for this one.

John McGinn (CM) - McGinn has had an extra week to rediscover his footing after a spell out in isolation so he should be raring to go.

Jacob Ramsey (CM) - The youngster's pressing and ball-carrying against Chelsea was superb and he fully deserves another start here.

3. Forwards

Leon Bailey
Bailey could come back in / Eddie Keogh/Getty Images

Bertrand Traore (RW) - Traore is back in contention after shaking off an injury and could give Emiliano Buendia a bit more time to get back up to speed after isolation.

Danny Ings (ST) - It's Ings vs Ollie Watkins for this spot, and although it's harsh to take the spot off the latter, it's Ings who has been scoring the goals this year.

Leon Bailey (LW) - With Smith likely to deploy wingers instead of wing-backs, it could be Bailey's time to shine.

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