David Moyes, the Everton manager, received a welcome interruption to his preparations for their Uefa Cup first-round, first-leg tie against Standard Liège at Goodison Park this evening when Alan Wiley, the referee, phoned him to apologise for the incident that led to the Scot being charged with misconduct by the FA.

Moyes was charged yesterday after Wiley banished him to the stands during the closing stages of his team's 3-2 victory away to Stoke City on Sunday for protesting against the decision not to award Everton a penalty after a handball by Leon Cort. Moyes said that he would accept an apology from Wiley, if one was forthcoming, and, to his surprise, it arrived yesterday - followed within hours by a disciplinary charge from Soho Square.

“Alan has phoned me and I think everyone will understand why he has done that,” Moyes said. “I don't think it will influence things, but all I can do is hope that the people who look at it understand and take into consideration the reason for why I was upset.

“In fairness to the referee, he has put a call into me. The Respect campaign is really important, but you've got to earn respect and he has earned a great deal of respect from me.”

The more immediate concern for Moyes is the match against Standard, the champions of Belgium, who kept Liverpool at bay in a Champions League qualifying tie last month before succumbing to a goal by Dirk Kuyt with two minutes remaining in extra time in the second leg. Everton have since signed Marouane Fellaini from the Belgian club, but he is ineligible to play in the Uefa Cup. Segundo Castillo, the Ecuador midfield player, will make his home debut after signing on loan from Red Star Belgrade.

Moyes also confirmed that his contract negotiations remain at a delicate stage after a recent offer of a five-year deal was returned to the club with minor amendments.

Everton (possible; 4-1-3-2): T Howard — P Neville, J Yobo, P Jagielka, J Lescott — S Castillo — M Arteta, T Cahill, L Osman — V Anichebe, Yakubu Ayegbeni.

Standard Liège (possible; 4-4-2): R Espinoza — M Camozzatto, M Sarr, O Onyewu, Dante Bonfim — W Dalmat, B Nicaise, S Defour, A Witsel — I De Camargo, D Mbokani.

Referee: G Gilewski (Poland).

Television: Live on Five from 8pm (kick-off 8.05).

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Litex Lovech v Aston Villa (3.20pm)

Peter Lansley Lovech, Bulgaria

Stiliyan Petrov is such a celebrity in Bulgaria that his wedding was shown live on television, but it his willingness to play a less glamorous role for Aston Villa, Martin O’Neill believes, that is bringing the best out of Gareth Barry. “He’s had a great start to the season,” the Villa manager said of the midfield player. “He has a bit of discipline to his game and he’s allowed Gareth Barry to push on into a role he rarely plays for England.”

Ashley Young (knee), John Carew (ankle) and Martin Laursen are likely to be rested, with James Milner and Carlos Cuéllar set to make their first starts for O’Neill’s team.

Litex Lovech (possible; 4-3-3): U Golubovic — S Manolev, C Cambon, P Nikolov, M Venkov — D Berberovic, Sandrinho, Dudu — I Popov, W Niflore, Tom.

Aston Villa (possible; 4-5-1): B Friedel — L Young, C Davies, C Cuéllar, N Shorey — W Routledge, N Reo-Coker, S Petrov, G Barry, J Milner — G Agbonlahor.

Referee: C Zografos (Greece).

Television: Live on Five from 3.10pm.

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Portsmouth v Guimaraes (6.0)

Nick Szczepanik

Harry Redknapp will not change Portsmouth’s approach as they make their European debut in this evening’s Uefa Cup first round, first leg against Guimarães, of Portugal, at Fratton Park. Redknapp wants his players to draw their inspiration from the way that Liverpool attack foreign teams at Anfield rather than attempt to adopt a continental style.

“We’ve got to get at them, play with passion and intensity and at a high tempo and get the crowd behind us,” the Portsmouth manager said. “We’ll play in the style that we play every week. When you think of European nights at Anfield, Liverpool got into them and scare the opposition to death. We’ve got to be the same.”

Portsmouth (probable; 4-4-2): D James — G Johnson, S Distin, S Campbell, N Belhadj — J Utaka, S Davis, L Diarra, A Traoré — J Defoe, P Crouch.

Guimarães (possible; 4-5-1): Nilson — A Soares, A Gregory, J Teixera, L Silva Alves — M Iubel, João Alves, Fajardo, Flávio, Y Desmarets — D Oliveira.

Television: Live on Five from 5.55pm.