Unai Emery needs Aston Villa stars to match Ollie Watkins record as worrying stat vs Liverpool emerges
Aston Villa are set to face off against Liverpool on Saturday night.
Liverpool will play host to Villa with both sides in hugely contrasting form ahead of the clash at Anfield.
Unai Emery will be keen to secure yet another Premier League win after Villa beat Manchester City 1-0 last time around at Villa Park.
The Reds have lost their last five domestic games and will be keen to turn that around, even with Alexander Isak ruled out by Arne Slot.
Anfield will still be confident of a win against the Villans based on the B6 club’s scoring record on Merseyside, which only Ollie Watkins can boast about.
Ollie Watkins is only current Aston Villa scorer at Anfield
Villa have a shocking record away to Liverpool, having failed to secure a win in L4 since 2014 when Gabby Agbonlahor netted a scrappy winner.
The claret and blue outfit may not get a better chance to turn that form around based on the current form of Slot’s side.
The Premier League champions can still be confident as Mohamed Salah has a terrific record against Villa in his eight years since signing.
Liverpool’s star man has netted four in these fixtures over the years, while the Villans themselves have only scored two combined.
Jacob Ramsey last scored for Villa at Anfield, but Watkins is the only man in the current squad who knows what it’s like to score away to the Reds.
With all the quality on Emery’s side right now, that dismal record needs to change, and more names need to stand up to be counted in L4.
Watkins has point to prove vs Liverpool
The England international has had a shocking start to the season for the most part and has failed to live up to his usual expectations.
Watkins struggled for output against Manchester City last time out, but was still able to show flashes that could stand him in good stead at Anfield.
The 29-year-old maintained an 82 per cent pass accuracy and created one chance for his teammates, while also taking two shots of his own.
He also contributed two defensive actions and won three duels, all of which will be needed attributes away to Liverpool.
Watkins will be keen to add to his goal record on Merseyside, but Emery also needs other star names to get on the scoresheet and make things happen.
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