Marco Silva has revealed Alex Iwobi is closing in on his Everton debut but tonight’s trip to Aston Villa will come too soon for him. The Toffees pulled off something of coup when luring the forward to Goodison Park from Arsenal on deadline day, and the Blues supporters are itching to see him out on the pitch.
However it looks as though they will have to wait a little while longer as Silva says the young forward needs to build up his fitness a bit more before taking his place in the side, and will be on the bench at best. “For sure he is looking forward to that – we are all looking forward to that,” Silva said regards his debut.
“But he started a little late. It is just his second week working with the team. He didn’t have a pre-season. “You have to give him enough time to get fitter. Of course if we need him in the games he is able to help us, not for 90 minutes, but he is getting better. If I decide he’s ready he’ll be ready to help and give the high quality he has.”
Everton have done well without him, picking up four points from their opening two games and have yet to concede a goal. They could move top of the Premier League with a victory at Villa Park tonight, but Silva is taking nothing for granted and says his side will be in for a tough game against Dean Smith’s men.
Villa have lost their opening two games against Tottenham and Bournemouth but played well in both games and will be fired up to get their first points of the season tonight. “It would be good but we have to prove we are able to do that. We have to respect our opponent, they have quality,” Silva said when quizzed about the possibility of going top.
“As always we go there to win a football match but we have to play in our best level to win.”
Elsewhere, midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin returns from suspension for the clash and will hope to play some part in the Midlands.
Left-back Lucas Digne is fit after overcoming the knock which forced him off in the second half of last week’s victory over Watford. Leighton Baines is also back in contention after recovering from a thigh injury but summer signing Fabian Delph is still sidelined with a groin injury.
