By Aston Villa FC

Dean Smith addressed members of the local and national media at Bodymoor Heath on Wednesday morning.

 

The Aston Villa boss gave his thoughts on facing Everton, the battle for Premier League survival and much more ahead of tomorrow night’s trip to Goodison Park.

 

Here’s what he had to say…

 

On team selection…

 

“Kortney Hause is a doubt with a rib injury, his oblique, which he felt in the warm-up on Sunday. He’s unlikely to make the game.

 

“Neil Taylor’s got a slight hamstring, so he’s struggling as well. There are the long-term injuries to Tom Heaton, Wesley and Bjorn Engels as well.

 

“Two players come out of the squad and we’ll add another two back in.”

 

On Premier League survival…

 

“I’m feeling the same as before the Crystal Palace game because not a lot has changed. We needed to win because the teams around us had won their games.

 

“We managed to get that win and it will give everybody a lift, but we’re still in the same position. We can go and get some scoreboard pressure on Watford and West Ham who play the following evening.

 

“We’ve got to make sure we concentrate on our own game and put in a good performance. We certainly won’t get complacent after one win.”

 

On Everton…

 

“It will be a tough game. They’ve got players who can hurt anyone – Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison.

 

“They’ve got a manager who won’t be accepting after the Wolves performance and result, and they’ll come out fighting.

 

“It looks like they’ve got some of their injured players back with Mason Holgate and Andre Gomes, who cost more than our record signing. That just shows that they are a very well-established team.”

 

On his forwards…

 

“Getting a brace will do him [Trezeguet] the world of good. His confidence will be high. We produced some really good attacking play against Crystal Palace and it was good to see.

 

“Jack Grealish looked close to being back to his best. He was only telling me yesterday that he’s not scored for a long time and he wants to put that right.

 

“Our forward-thinking players are starting to get back to where we want them to be.”

Advert Advert