Unai Emery confirms Aston Villa injury boost but four out of Everton clash
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery expects Emi Martinez to be fit to feature against Everton on Wednesday night, but Diego Carlos remains sidelined through injury.
The goalkeeper missed Villa's FA Cup third round tie against West Ham last Friday due to a small injury. He was assessed on the morning before the game, but Villa did not want to take a risk on him.
Martinez has since trained at Bodymoor Heath ahead of the match and is expected to start. Robin Olsen played from the off against West Ham, with Joe Gauci taking a place on the substitutes bench.
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Ross Barkley is sidelined after suffering a calf injury against West Ham and was replaced by Amadou Onana in the 19th minute. The Belgian will return to Goodison Park tomorrow for the first time since he joined Villa for £50m in the summer.
John McGinn remains out through a hamstring injury, while Pau Torres is nursing a broken metatarsal in his foot. Jhon Duran is set to return from suspension after missing the last three matches having received a straight red card for violent conduct during the defeat at Newcastle United on Boxing Day.
Speaking of his team news, Emery said: "Pau Torres, John McGinn are not available for tomorrow. Different injuries and different times for them to start again training with us. Barkley is two or three weeks more. McGinn will need one week minimum to be with us to train and play. Pau Torres is longer, six to eight weeks.
"Carlos is not fit. He is still being out of the team with a small injury. Emi Martinez trained this morning feeling good. In case tomorrow morning he is feeling good, he will be [in the team]."
Everton are winless in their last 11 Premier League games against Villa, having won six of their previous eight against them before this. David Moyes will take charge of his first game since returning to the club following the sacking of Sean Dyche.
