The first of a two part match preview.

How to contain the Villans.

Neville scoring last season

Presuming Carew remains sidelined for Sunday’s game, Villa will line themselves up much like they did against Fulham last weekend. The starting line-up as follows: Friedel, Cuellar, Laursen, Davies, Luke Young, Sidwell, Petrov, Barry, Milner, Agbonlahor, Ashley Young.

From the back, Villa are reasonably strong. A solid keeper in the form of Brad Friedel backed up by three strong centre backs. Luke Young is not afraid to get forward from right back, but if the 3-5-2 formation is deployed as it appeared to be last weekend I would expect the ex-Boro man to just hold alongside Sidwell in the centre. This pairing will be key in keeping the toffees at bay. with only one fit striker it could be all too easy for the Villa to snuff out any relatively potent Everton attacks.

From there O’Neill has an array of attacking talent at his disposal. it seems as if he plays two banks of five, which doubles up as a 3-5-2 on paper. With Barry and Milner on either flank and the creative flair of Petrov in the centre it will be difficult to contain the claret and blue creativity. Both wing backs, Neville and Lescott will have to be at their best to keep the two wingers at bay. As for the Bulgarian Petrov, whoever Moyes goes with as the holding midfielder will have to also be at his best to keep out the cheeky playmaker. I would like to see Fellaini wrestling him out of the game winning every second ball that comes loose.

Up top villa have raw pace in the form of Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor. Both very competent in front of goal as well, it will be a very difficult prospect for Yobo and Jagielka to keep under control.

O’Neill tinkered with his team mid-week, so most of the starting eleven are fresh and won’t really dwell on the defeat against Zilina.