Everton look set to have to play Mason Holgate and Ashley Williams at the back against Lyon.
With David Unsworth confirming at his latest press conference that a number of first-team players will not feature for Everton against Lyon this evening, it looks likely that Ashley Williams and Mason Holgate will start for the Toffees this evening against Lyon, and that has to be a major concern.
Everton are heading to France with their Europa League hopes hanging by a thread, and it seems that Unsworth has decided to concentrate on domestic matters.
Everton are leaving Leighton Baines, Phil Jagielka, Wayne Rooney and Michael Keane at home – as they rest the quartet.
And that has to be a major concern for Everton, as Lyon have the attacking quality to severely punish them.
Lyon have scored 27 goals in 11 French league games this term, and they could expose Holgate and Williams.
Holgate may have potential, but he has looked far from secure in Everton’s backline this term. Williams, meanwhile, has been utterly abject – with his advancing years seemingly catching up with him.
The duo arguably face their toughest test to date against Lyon, and their fragile confidence could be dented even further, if the Ligue 1 side do put Everton to the sword tonight.
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