Abdoulaye Doucoure returns to Everton’s midfield for the first time since 4 March and Mason Holgate replaces the injured Yerry Mina for Thursday’s Premier League visit to Aston Villa.

Frenchman Doucoure has been missing since sustaining a fractured foot in a game against West Bromwich Albion two months ago.

He was an unused substitute in Sunday’s victory at West Ham United but is ready to come back and partner Allan in Everton’s engine room.

Holgate will play in defence with Michael Keane and Ben Godfrey and Jordan Pickford starts his fifth straight match in goal.

Lucas Digne and captain Seamus Coleman are Everton’s wing-backs.

Gylfi Sigurdsson is included in midfield and Richarlison will support 16-goal Dominic Calvert-Lewin in attack.

Fabian Delph is on the bench for the meeting with his former club.

He is joined by Tom Davies, Joshua King, Bernard and Andre Gomes.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti also has Alex Iwobi, Niels Nkounkou and the goalkeeping duo of Robin Olsen and Joao Virginia among his substitutes.