David Moyes speaks in his pre-match press conference to preview Everton's game as Aston Villa(Image: )

David Moyes admits Everton “need players more than ever” as he assessed his team’s aspirations in the January transfer window. The Blues only brought in Charly Alcaraz on loan in a deadline day deal in the last winter window and haven’t signed anyone so far this month.

Other than Thierno Barry, Everton’s substitutes bench against Sunderland boasted just four previous first-team appearances in total for the club (Mark Travers and Reece Welch on two apiece).

Although former Aston Villa star Jack Grealish returns from suspension against his first club, Moyes confirmed none of his injured players are fit to return on Sunday.

That means the Blues are set to be without eight senior stars for the trip to Villa Park - Jarrad Branthwaite, Seamus Coleman, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Carlos Alcaraz and Tim Iroegbunam through injury, Michael Keane through suspension, plus Idrissa Gueye and Iliman...