Everton travel to face Aston Villa at Villa Park on Tuesday night in the Premier League, as the Blues get back to league action following an extended two and a half week break.

The Toffees lost 1-0 to West Bromwich Albion in their last league game on the 13 February at Goodison Park, but did defeat Bournemouth 2-0 a week later in the FA Cup 5th round at the Vitality Stadium.

Roberto Martinez’s men sit in 12th position in the table on 35 points after 26 games, 12 points off Manchester City in the fourth and final Champions League place.

Despite sitting in 12th, the Blues have the sixth best away record in the Premier League so far this season, with 19 points picked up away from Goodison this campaign,  losing only once on the road in a 2-1 defeat to Arsenal in October.

The Villa, meanwhile, have had a dreadful season to date, and suffered yet another defeat at the weekend, losing 2-1 away at Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium.

Remi Garde’s side sit rock bottom of the table on 16 points after 27 games, eight points off Norwich City in 18th and safety, and lost 6-0 to Liverpool in their last home game three weeks ago.

It’s not surprise then that The Villa have the worst home record in the league this season. They have won only two of their 13 games at Villa Park so far, but both victories have come since he turn of the year, defeating Crystal Palace 1-0 in January and Norwich 2-0 in early February, and also picked up a point against leaders Leicester in mid January.

The Blues hammered Villa 4-0 when the sides met in November at Goodison Park, but the Villans did beat the Toffees 3-2 at Villa Park last season last May.

In the last ten fixtures between the sides at Villa Park, the Blues have only won two, while there have been four draws and four victories for the Birmingham side.

In team news, Villa are expected to line out in a 4-3-3 formation with  Ayew, Gestede and Bacuna leading their attack.

Martinez is expected to stick with the side that started against Bournemouth in the FA Cup in the Toffees last outing.

Recent Form: Aston Villa (L-L-W-L-L) Everton (W-W-W-L-W)

Expected Starting XI’s

Aston Villa: Bunn, Hutton, Okore, Lescott, Cissokho; Veretout, Gueye, Westwood; Ayew, Gestede, Bacuna.

Everton: Robles, Coleman, Jagielka, Mori, Ovideo; McCarthy, Barry; Lennon, Barkley, Cleverly; Lukaku.

Graphic courtesy of www.Sporticos.com