Christian Atsu: left out of Everton squad

Ghana winger Christian Atsu could not make his way into the Everton squad for the second consecutive Premier League game as he sat out of their 3-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon.

The 22-year-old watched from the stands at the Goodison Park as goals from Phil Jagielka, Romelu Lukaku and Seamus Coleman lifted the Toffees to 12th place on the log.

Everton manager Roberto Martinez has pleaded for patience for the Chelsea loanee as pressure is mounting on him to pick up the pace of the game at the club.

Atsu’ last Premier League game came at the 3-0 defeat at Swansea City on 23rd September but played in the 1-1 stalemate with Russian side Krasnodar in the Uefa Europa League.

He has only played in two Premier League matches for the struggling Toffees so far.

But boss Martinez believes Atsu has needed time to bed in to the English game, and expects big things from him as the campaign goes on.