Everton travel to Spain for tonights game

By John P
August 24 2005

As the injury list grows from each game, Moyes is optimistic about one of the strikers playing a part at Villareal. Either Marcus Bent or James Beattie will be fit in time for the second leg of their Champions League qualifier.

Although it is looking unlikely Beattie will have any part to play as the player has only done some basic running in training session and has not yet returned to full fitness. However both Beattie and Bent have made the trip to Spain.

If both players are ruled out then its possible that Moyes will go 4-5-1 with Duncan Ferguson the lone fit striker. Vaughan is a possibility but with being so inexperienced it is unlikely he will start and may appear as an extra pair of energtic legs towards the end of the game. McFadden has also made the trip but may only play a substitution role for the out of form player.

Everton would need to win by a 2 goal margin to qualify for the next round of the Champions League. But with the record of only scoring more than 1 goal away from home on no more than 1 occassion last season it looks unlikely that Everton will progress, however knock out in this round will still ensure European competition as Everton will progress to UEFA Cup.

Possible Formation (4-5-1): Martyn, Hibbert, Weir, Yobo, Neville, Cahill, Arteta, Davies, Osman, Kilbane, Ferguson.