EPL Preview: Everton-Aston Villa

With speculation adrift about the future of Aston Villa skipper Gareth Barry reaching an all-time high, Martin O'Neill might just be looking forward to concentrating solely on football when he takes his Aston Villa squad into Goodison Park to take on Everton.

Sunday afternoon's game will have a greater meaning for Aston Villa as they sit only three points back of the Merseysiders for the fifth and potentially final UEFA Cup spot. A win could see Martin O'Neill's side gain level pegging with Everton as they begin their final push towards Europe.

Built around a strong base of English talent, the likes of Ashley Young, Gabriel Agbonlahor, and Gareth Barry have proven to be pivotal focal points in Villa's recent resurgence following their deflating defeat at the hands of Manchester United over a month ago. Norwegian hitman John Carew has also picked up his game and contributed to a Villa side rising in confidence.

Their strong play has resulted in increased interest from the clubs in the Big Four -- with Gareth Barry being strongly linked to Liverpool.

Most noticeably in their recent run of form, where they have amassed fifteen goals in the last three matches, was Villa's 5-1 derby win last week over rivals Birmingham City. Ashley Young was at the center of attention as he caught Fabio Capello's eye with two goals to send Birmingham into the relegation zone.

If Aston Villa is able to secure victory against Everton, they would go ahead of the Blues based on a greater goal difference.

As for the Blues of Merseyside, David Moyes has come across tougher times after such a promising start to the season. With only a win over Derby in their last five matches, Everton have been bitten by the injury bug as they have gone without Tim Cahill, Mikel Arteta, and Leon Osman for the past few weeks.

The slough of injuries have limited Moyes' choices out in the midfield as he has been forced to place Lee Carsley alongside Phil Neville, a combination that has failed in the past.

Carsley, who has been in top form this season in the holding position, will need to be placed alongside a player with an extra bit of creativity in the middle of the park. The return of Leon Osman to the midfield should provide a much needed boost to an Everton side eager to cling onto fifth place.

Everton will also be hoping that Mikel Arteta will be avaliable as he is due back from Spain after receiving treatment in his native country. Stomach pains and abdominal troubles had been previously keeping the Spanish maestro on the sidelines. Manuel Fernandes could be placed down the right flank if Arteta isn't avaliable on match day.

Regardless of Arteta's availability, Everton will need their big men up front to deliver in one of their most crucial games to date. Yakubu and Andy Johnson have failed to discover their goalscoring form prior to Everton's UEFA Cup defeat to Fiorentina. Yakubu, in particular, seems to be suffering from a huge drain in confidence after missing out on a few scoring opportunities that he would have surely buried earlier in the season.

On the defensive end, Everton's back four have proven to be a major strength all season long and will need to continue their strong run of play led by Phil Jagielka and Joseph Yobo in central defense. Joleon Lescott's play this season has received the utmost of praise from the media as he has been a fixture in both of Fabio Capello's England squads against Switzerland and France.

Key Man Watch: Steven Pienaar

The newly-signed South African international will be counted on even more heavily than before if Mikel Arteta isn't able to play in Sunday's encounter. His pace and crossing ability has proven to be a huge bargain, considering his cheap £2.05 million price tag from Borussia Dortmund, and wil need to be a key contributor if Everton is to walk away with a comfortable lead for 5th place and a spot in Europe.

Predicted Starting XI:

Everton

Howard; Neville, Lescott, Jagielka, Yobo; Carsley, Arteta, Pienaar, Osman; Yakubu, Johnson

Aston Villa

Carson; Mellberg, Laursen, Knight, Bouma; Young, Reo-Coker, Petrov, Barry; Carew, Agbonlahor