Aston Villa star undergoes scan as four players could miss Everton clash - but Toffees may be missing eight

Aston Villa are sweating on a key star ahead of their Premier League clash against Everton.

The Toffees make the trip to Villa Park on Sunday still in search of their first victory in 2026. David Moyes’ side have failed to win their past three games which were all at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton suffered a 4-2 loss against Brentford, were held to a 1-1 draw with basement side Wolverhampton Wanderers and were beaten on penalties by Sunderland in the FA Cup third round following a 1-1 stalemate.

The Blues’ results on their travels have been better, although they face a Villa outfit who are in rampant form. Villa are third in the Premier League and earned a 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup last weekend.

However, Unai Emery’s men saw Boubacar Kamara forced off in North London. Speaking on the midfielder’s fitness, Emery said: “Tomorrow we will check him. We will know something about his injury. Of course, we must be patient until tomorrow. Hopefully it's not a big injury, and something less than more.”

Aston Villa team news

The results of Kamara’s scan will determine whether he is in contention to face Everton. Villa are already short of midfield options, with two former Toffees ruled out. Amadou Onana, sold to Villa for around £50 million, is recovering from a hamstring issue. In addition, Ross Barkley - who came through the academy ranks at Everton - is recovering from a knee problem.

Meanwhile, No.1 goalkeeper Emi Martinez was absent against Tottenham although he’s only said to have a minor issue and could be back. In addition, Evann Guessand should return to Villa’s squad after Ivory Coast were knocked out of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) at the hands of Egypt in the quarter-finals.

Everton team news

Senegal’s progress to the AFCON semi-finals means that Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gana Gueye will continue to be unavailable for Everton. Senegal face Egypt in the last four and even if they are beaten, there is a third-place play-off.

Everton suffered a new injury ahead of the Sunderland loss, with Tim Iroegbunam absent from the squad. It means that Moyes had just 12 senior outfield players available. There might be some hope that Charly Alcaraz could make a return to the squad, while Jarrad Branthwaite - who hasn’t made an appearance all season because of a hamstring problem - is getting closer to being included in team training. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Seamus Coleman continue to recovery from respective hamstring injuries.

Michael Keane will be forced to serve the second of a three-match suspension after his controversial red card against Wolves. But Jack Grealish will return to face his boyhood club. Grealish missed the Sunderland game after being slapped with a one-game ban for his sending off in the Wolves encounter.