Why Vitalii Mykolenko Misses Out for Everton Clash against Aston Villa

 

Everton have received a mix of encouraging and concerning news ahead of their highly anticipated clash against Aston Villa at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. While the Toffees have been handed three fitness boosts, including the availability of Iliman Ndiaye, there is also the notable absence of key left-back Vitalii Mykolenko, who has been ruled out due to injury.

Ndiaye Passed Fit to Start Despite Injury Concern

Forward Iliman Ndiaye, who has been in solid form this season with two goals to his name, has been deemed fit enough to start. There were initial doubts surrounding his availability after returning from international duty with Senegal, with Everton manager David Moyes previously revealing that the winger had picked up a slight knock while away with his national side. However, after assessment, Ndiaye has been cleared by the medical team and will feature in the starting XI as Everton seek to extend their winning run to four consecutive victories across all competitions.

Vitalii Mykolenko Sidelined Following International Duty

In contrast, Everton have to cope without the services of Vitalii Mykolenko, who has returned from duty with Ukraine carrying a fitness issue. The specifics of the injury have not been disclosed, but it was enough to rule him out of today’s matchday squad. The absence of the reliable left-back forces Moyes into a defensive reshuffle, with James Garner stepping into the left-back position — a role he’s not unfamiliar with but not his natural one either.

The shift allows Tim Iroegbunam to come into the midfield as the only change from the side that secured a thrilling 3-2 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers before the international break. Moyes will be hoping that the reshuffled lineup continues to deliver the intensity and resilience that has marked Everton’s recent performances.

Triple Boost for the Toffees

Despite Mykolenko’s absence, Everton fans still have reasons to be optimistic thanks to a trio of positive developments on the squad front.

First, Adam Aznou, the promising young full-back signed from Bayern Munich for £8 million during the summer, makes his first appearance in a matchday squad. This will be a welcome sight for supporters eager to see what the 18-year-old can bring to the team.

Secondly, Nathan Patterson is also back in the squad, having recovered from a previous injury. His presence adds depth and flexibility to Everton’s full-back options on the bench.

Lastly, Merlin Röhl, a deadline-day signing, is named among the substitutes. The German midfielder, known for his creativity and ability to dictate tempo, could be called upon if Everton need to inject fresh ideas from the bench during the game.

David Moyes Reflects on Positive Start and New Chapter at Everton

Speaking ahead of the fixture, manager David Moyes expressed his satisfaction with the team’s recent form and the overall mood within the club, especially as Everton begin a new chapter at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, their recently inaugurated home.

“I’m feeling good because the team are performing really well,” said Moyes. “We’ve no Mykolenko today, but Ili [Ndiaye] felt okay this morning, so hopefully he’ll get through the game without any issues.”

Reflecting on the broader positivity surrounding the club, Moyes added:

“I can’t pinpoint one specific thing that’s causing the positive energy, but if you go back to the end of last season — the performances we had at Goodison and the results we achieved — it helped carry that momentum into this season. Now, starting the new campaign in a brand new stadium with a fresh environment has just lifted the spirits even more.”

The veteran manager also acknowledged the privilege of leading the team during such a transformative period in its history:

“It’s an honour to be here at this point in Everton’s journey — closing the chapter at Goodison Park and starting a new one in our amazing new stadium. My focus is on building a team that truly represents the values of Everton Football Club. We want to push the club back into the position it deserves to be in. The players — both those who’ve left and those still here — have been fantastic, and we’ll aim to keep progressing.”

Looking Ahead

As Everton take on Aston Villa, all eyes will be on how the squad handles Mykolenko’s absence and whether the team can maintain its winning momentum. With new faces on the bench and key players back from injury, the Toffees have the tools to continue their strong run — but Villa will no doubt provide a stern test.