Liverpool vs Aston Villa preview: Team news, line-ups, prediction
Aston Villa will be highly anticipating their trip to Anfield on Saturday, given Liverpool’s current Premier League form.
Villa triumphed in a hard-fought 1-0 win over Manchester City on 26 October to secure all three points at Villa Park.
This made it four consecutive wins for the Villans after Villa’s 1-1 draw to Sunderland in mid-September.
With their spirits high and the top four in the Premier League within reach, Unai Emery will be pulling out all the stops against the Reds on 1 November.
Form guide
Aston Villa: W, W, W, L, W
Liverpool: L, L, W, L, L
Team News
Ollie Watkins has struggled to find his best form since the season began, failing to score once again in the win over City.
As a result, Donyell Malen could start for Villa when they take on the current Premier League title holders at Anfield.
Youri Tielemans has been sidelined for Villa with a calf injury for weeks and is not expected to feature against Liverpool.
Furthermore, Villa fans have been kept in the dark about Andreas Garcia’s availability, and it remains to be seen when he’ll return.
Meanwhile, Emi Buendia hobbled off the pitch against Man City due to an injury, and it’s unknown whether he’ll be fit enough for the confrontation. However, the versatile attacker was spotted on crutches after the game, which is a concern.
As for Liverpool, defender Jeremie Frimpong and goalkeeper Alisson Becker remain sidelined for the Reds. However, Arne Slot confirmed that Ryan Gravenberch, who sustained an ankle injury last international break, should be in the squad to face Villa.
There are still questions on whether Alexander Isak will be fit to play, and Curtis Jones is not expected to feature on Saturday.
- Read more: Emery will be fuming as Premier League make announcement ahead of Liverpool vs Aston Villa
Likely lineups
Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen; Kamara, Onana; McGinn, Rogers, Sancho; Malen
Liverpool: Marmardashvilli; Bradley, Konate, van Dijk, Kerkez, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike
Prediction: Liverpool 1-3 Aston Villa
Liverpool are a team that’s there for the taking at the moment, given their poor form in the Premier League.
- The Reds have conceded 12 goals in their last five league games
- Liverpool are winless in five Premier League matches
Oddly, Villa are not the favourites to win against Liverpool, which partly makes sense given the reputation of Anfield.
However, given the Villans’ stunning form, Villa News predicts that Emery could extend his winning streak to five in a 3-1 win with goals from Jadon Sancho, Morgan Rogers and Malen.
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