Nigerian international midfielder Alex Iwobi is starting from the substitutes bench for the second consecutive game and 15th time this term as his club, Everton will be seeking revenge against their host, Aston Villa at Villa Park Thursday evening.
Iwobi was an unused substitute when the Toffees went, saw and conquered West Ham at the London stadium five days ago and the Nigerian would be hoping for a change in fortune as Carlo Ancelotti will looking to pay back Dean Smith and his men who came to the Goodsion Park at the start of this month to run away 2-1 winners in a Premier League Matchweek 35 game.The Nigerian featured for 76 minutes in the game.
The former Arsenal man has only been on the substitute bench for all 90 minutes three times so far this term and has never gone two games without an appearance.
Iwobi has started 17 times this term and has started from the bench 11 times.He has scored just once and that was way back in January when he netted Everton’s first goal in a 2-1 win at Wolves.
Since then, the Super Eagles star has gone without a goal and an assist in the 14 games he has featured in. Overall,he has scored just twice for Everton in 53 league games and four times in 63 appearances in all competitions.
Meanwhile injured Nigerian winger Samuel Chukwueze was expectedly not listed by gaffer, Unai Emery for Villarreal’s visit to the Estadio José Zorrilla where they will face their host, Real Valladolid in their penultimate match of the season in the LaLiga.
Chukwueze is down with a harmstring problem he copped at the Emirates stadium last month where the Yellow Submarine held their host to a goalless draw to qualify for the final of the Europa League.
The 21 year old has featured 28 times for Villarreal in the LaLiga this term, scoring four times and he has provided three assists.