Everton team news as ‘left-field’ Andre Gomes decision mooted for Premier League clash v Aston Villa

Everton boss Sean Dyche could make a “left-field” decision for the upcoming clash against Aston Villa by recalling Andre Gomes, according to the Liverpool Echo’s Chris Beesley. 

Gomes spent last season on loan at Ligue 1 club, where he scored three times from his 27 appearances in all competitions.

But the 30-year-old midfielder is now back on Merseyside, having watched on from the bench in the club’s Premier League opener against Fulham.

Everton travel to Villa on Sunday (20 August), having lost 1-0 to the Cottagers at Goodison Park last Saturday (12 August).

Beesley wrote for the Liverpool Echo that “if the Blues boss really did want to make a left-field decision, he could recall Andre Gomes who was back on the bench last time out.”

Tough competition

Gomes was a regular for Lille last season, playing a key role as the French club secured fifth spot in the league table.

He has, however, returned to England, and is seemingly in contention for minutes under Dyche this season after his appearance on the bench against Fulham.

But unlike in other areas of the Everton squad, it seems that midfield is jam-packed, with the manager having plenty of options that are perhaps ahead of Gomes on his list.

Abdoulaye Doucoure, Idrissa Gueye and Amadou Onana are all likely to be first-team regulars, while the likes of Alex Iwobi and James Garner may also be utilised in that area.

And that could mean plenty of time spent on the bench for Gomes, or indeed a summer exit from Goodison Park, which is perhaps the more likely scenario.

The 30-year-old still has plenty to give on the pitch, and may finally want to put his underwhelming Toffees career behind him.