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Aston Villa’s return to the Premier League has been far from euphoric and having spent £144.5m on 12 new players, manager Dean Smith faces intense scrutiny.

The game against Tottenham Hotspur was a free-hit as such, playing away to the Champions League finalists on the first matchday of the season.

Though, they actually performed well in that game and the 3-1 scoreline flattered Spurs as John McGinn’s early strike was the only goal of the game until the 73^rd minute and then it all fell apart.

They followed that up with a disappointing home defeat to Bournemouth where individual errors cost them dearly.

It was a possible a sign of nerves playing in front of the Villa Park faithful for the first time as Tom Heaton conceded a penalty before Douglas Luiz’s catastrophic decision to dummy the ball into the path of the opposition led to them doubling their lead in quick succession.

Now Villa face a battle-hardened Everton side who are yet to concede a goal in either of their two opening matches – a 0-0 against Palace and a 1-0 win over Watford.

Villans boss Smith could do with making a few changes to his side in order to give the home side every chance on their own patch.

Here's what we think he should go with as we tip the manager to make three changes.

Smith has come out this week and said that players have to earn their shirt in particular reference to his two full-back positions.

Though, he still may well make a change there.

We reckon Frederic Guilbert and Matt Targett should come into the side alongside the partnership of Villa’s current centre-backs Tyrone Mings and Bjorn Engels.

They only conceded three goals and managed to keep two clean sheets in pre-season yet haven’t been granted a start as a four in the Premier League. Villa have conceded five in two matches so a switch at the back would make sense.

The other change must surely be in attack where Villa have rather struggled. Anwar El Ghazi has looked underwhelming, averaging a rating of just 6.20, so maybe Jota will be handed a start above him which would allow Trezeguet to slide over to his much more familiar left-wing role.

It would mean the midfield three of Douglas Luiz, even despite his mistakes against Bournemouth, Jack Grealish and John McGinn all remain.

Club-record signing Wesley should continue as the sole man up top.

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