Aston Villa’s Smith expects stern test against solid Everton

Aston Villa’s forwards need to be more clinical in front of goal, but manager Dean Smith does not expect their task to get easier against Everton in the Premier League today.Villa are still seeking their first points having returned to the English top flight, after a 3-1 loss at Tottenham Hotspur in their opener and a 2-1 defeat by Bournemouth last weekend.Smith said Everton could prove another tough test, having held Crystal Palace to a goalless draw and beaten Watford 1-0 last time out. The Merseyside club have kept 10 clean sheets in the last 13 games in the competition going back to last season – including four against the league’s ‘Big Six’.“Their defensive organisation has been very good. I’ve been impressed by what I’ve seen so far in their two games against Crystal Palace and Watford,” Smith told reporters yesterday.“They’ve not been free-scorers either, just the one goal in the two games, but they’ve not conceded so it’s going to be tough for us to open them up,” Smith said.“I felt we created a number of chances last week that we didn’t take, but it’s our turn to create them again and take them this time.”Villa spent over 100mn pounds ($122mn) on 13 players in the close season, but some have yet to play. “I’ve always been of the belief that you have to earn the right to play and you’ve got prove that you’re better than the players who have already got the shirts,” Smith said.“Some of them have got in earlier than others and some of them are waiting their turn, but they’re working very hard in training to get into the team.”Everton’s Digne, Baines fit for trip to VillaEverton defender Lucas Digne has shaken off a muscle injury and will be available for today’s Premier League clash at promoted Aston Villa, manager Marco Silva said yesterday. French international left back Digne sustained the problem in Everton’s 1-0 win over Watford last weekend as the Merseyside club collected their first victory of the season after a goalless draw against Crystal Palace in their opener. Fellow defender Leighton Baines is also fit after missing the first two fixtures but new signing Fabian Delph is ruled out of the clash with his former club due to a thigh injury.“Digne will be available for the match. Leighton will be also. It’s just Fabian until now,” Silva told reporters. Forward Alex Iwobi, another new arrival at Everton, could feature after making the bench against Watford.“He started really late... it’s his second week working with the team. We have to take care with the situation, giving him enough time to get fitter. He’s getting better and if I decide, he’ll be ready to help,” Silva added.Midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin is back in contention after a one-match suspension.