Everton have confirmed that Mason Holgate will be ‘fit and available’ to face Aston Villa on Thursday evening. The 23-year-old has recovered from a shin injury that kept him out of last Thursday’s 1-1 draw with Southampton and Sunday’s 3-0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers. He’s likely to come straight back into the starting eleven alongside Michael Keane. Jarrad Branthwaite could be an option too.
Holgate has made 31 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring one goal with three assists. Since October, the £12.15-rated centre-back has been a regular for Everton until his shin injury ruled him out of two games in July. Without Holgate, the Toffees have picked up only one point from a possible six, conceding four goals for their troubles, so they’ll be happy to have him back.
Everton are currently 11th in the Premier League with 45 points from 35 games, six adrift of 10th-placed Burnley. The Blues are without a win in their last three but may fancy their chances as Villa are in poor shape too. The Midlands outfit are 19th in the table and have only won twice away from home this season.
Holgate could be key to Everton getting a result, so his return comes at a good time.