Osman returns for Toffees

Everton had Leon Osman back in their midfield after a hip injury, which allowed skipper Phil Neville to revert to full-back with Tony Hibbert dropping to the bench from the side beaten by Chelsea last time out.

Mikel Arteta was also back, but only as far as the bench initially, after returning from a week of treatment back home in Spain on his stomach and groin problems.

Aston Villa, with 15 goals in their last three matches which has seen them wipe out Everton’s goal difference advantage in the race for fifth spot, were not surprisingly unchanged from the side that beat local rivals Birmingham 5-1 last weekend.

Everton: Howard, Neville, Yobo, Jagielka, Lescott, Osman, Carsley, Fernandes, Pienaar, Johnson, Yakubu.

Subs: Wessels, Hibbert, Baines, Arteta, Anichebe.

Aston Villa: Carson, Mellberg, Laursen, Knight, Bouma, Petrov, Barry, Reo-Coker, Young, Carew, Agbonlahor.

Subs: Taylor, Harewood, Salifou, Routledge, Berger.

Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire)