Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert insists his two signings Yacouba Sylla and Simon Dawkins are up to task.

Lambert says he will have no hesitation hurling his new boys in at Everton today.

He said: "The two of them are ready to go now and I wouldn't have any fear about throwing them in.

"Sylla is a strong lad who will add a bit of steel and some bite in the middle of the pitch. He'll get stuck right in. You need players to do the dirty work.

"Dawkins will surprise people in the way he creates and makes things happen. He was incredible during his spell in America and has been in great form."