Ancelotti discusses James Rodriguez contract extension & provides Everton team news update ahead of Aston Villa

Everton vs Aston Villa

Saturday’s late Premier League clash pits Everton against Aston Villa at Goodison Park.

After winning just one of their last five Premier League games, Aston Villa’s hopes of securing European football next term is all but over, with Dean Smith’s side now currently sat 11^th in the table.

Everton, though, are still firmly in the hunt for a top-six spot.

Ahead of the weekend’s action, the Toffees are sat 8^th, just two points off 6^th and three off 5^th.

However, Carlo Ancelotti’s side also have a game in hand on all the teams above them, meaning they would of course overtake Liverpool if they win that game.

So, the Toffees need a win on Saturday to ensure they can keep the pressure on the remaining Europe-chasing sides.

Everton team news & Rodriguez contract

Before facing off with Villa, Carlo Ancelotti has held his latest press conference on Friday.

When doing so, the Italian would provide updates on several of his players.

Ancelotti stated that Yerry Mina is fit and ready to face Villa after returning from injury:

“He’s good, he came back from an injury and so he didn’t play against Arsenal for this reason.

“He’s back, in a good condition and ready to play.”

The only players unavailable for the weekend’s game are long-term absentees Gbamin and Doucoure:

“The update is that all the players are available apart from Gbamin and Doucoure. All the others are good.”

Elsewhere, the Everton boss was drawn on the possibility of James Rodriguez signing a contract extension. Ancelotti, however, remained rather coy on the situation:

“We didn’t talk about an extension, I’m not involved in this.

“I think we have time to talk about this, because he has another year of contract plus an option.

“We don’t need to talk about this, maybe in the next few months.”

Quotes via the Liverpool Echo.

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