Anthony Onifade

Wed 17 May 2023 8:13, UK

Unai Emery is expected to make changes to his Aston Villa starting lineup for the Premier League clash against Liverpool at Anfield this weekend (20 May).

Aston Villa gave their European ambitions a significant boost after a commanding 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Villa Park on Saturday (13 May).

The Villans took the lead after just eight minutes when Leon Bailey beat Ben Davies on the edge of the Spurs box and squared a cross for Jacob Ramsey to smash home.

Douglas Luiz curled home a magnificent 25-yard free-kick after 70 minutes to double Villa’s lead before Emi Martinez was penalised for bringing down Harry Kane in the area, with the England striker scoring the subsequent penalty.

The win took Aston Villa level on points with sixth-placed Spurs in the Premier League with just two games of the season remaining.

And the Villans face a Liverpool side also chasing European football and are in fine fettle after beating Leicester City on Monday to record their seventh successive Premier League victory

In goal, Emi Martinez is expected to keep his spot in the team despite his foul on Harry Kane for Spurs’ consolation, picking up a rather poor average score of 6.4/10 and making just one save. [Sofascore]

In front of the Argentine, Emery may be tempted to make a couple of alterations in order to analyse his side ahead of a busy summer but given the tough test on Merseyside, he should stick with the back-four who have become regular starters in recent weeks.

It’s unlikely that Matty Cash will start from the off at Anfield, even though he is no longer on the Aston Villa treatment table [Premier Injuries] so Ashley Young who was impressive against Spurs, winning 100% of his ground duels and completing 87% of his passes should maintain his spot at right-back.

Alex Moreno, who has delivered a team-high 22 key passes since his arrival in January, will be tasked with offering an attacking outlet down the left flank and how desperately Emery will need it to breach a stout Reds defence on Saturday.

At the heart of the back line, Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa will continue their burgeoning partnership that has resulted in seven clean sheets in their last 13 Premier League outings.

However, it’s in midfield where Emery will be expected to ring the changes, Boubacar Kamara will likely be drafted straight back into the starting line-up after an injury layoff which has meant he hasn’t started a match since the 1-0 win against Chelsea on 1 April.

With Liverpool’s midfield working in stark tandem right now, the Spaniard will be desperate for some security in the middle and will likely bring in the French disruptor who impressively sits in the 92nd percentile for midfielders over the last year for blocks (1.80 per 90) whilst also being in the top 25% of his European counterparts for tackles (2.57 per 90) and clearances (1.49 per 90). [FBREF]

The Frenchman should sit alongside Douglas Luiz at the heart of the Aston Villa midfield with Jacob Ramsey providing creativity and industry from the left flank and John McGinn providing the same on the right-hand side.

Emi Buendia is the unfortunate casualty of Emery’s change, following his dreadful showing against Spurs, failing to register a single key pass, completing just 70% of his passes and winning any of his total duels [SofaScore].

Emery will certainly be willing to sacrifice one of his creative outlets for more endeavour, defensive security and industry in order to halt Liverpool’s attack as well as providing a threat on the break, and that is where Leon Bailey comes in.

The Jamaican international certainly showed his class again in an impressive return against Spurs, registering three key passes, winning five of his nine ground duels, providing an assist for Ramsey’s opener and creating one big chance [SofaScore].

Ollie Watkins, who scored 11 goals from 13 games before his current worrying five-match drought, will likely continue at the tip of Emery’s attack alongside Bailey, with Jhon Duran waiting in the wings to possibly make an impact from the bench in the latter stages of the match.

In other Aston Villa news, Emery has been urged to axe one three-pass flop after his struggles in the win against Tottenham.