Credit: Imago

Cameron Smith

Wed 13 May 2026 12:10, UK

Aston Villa are desperate for a return to form on Friday when they face Liverpool, after an underwhelming Premier League run.

The Villans have picked up just five points since returning from the international break last month, seeing them lose grip on the top five.

As a result, Friday’s opponents Liverpool have leapfrogged Villa in the standings, while Bournemouth have been closing rapidly across recent weeks.

Welcoming last year’s Premier League winners to B6, the Midlanders are in desperate need of a result as they rebuild momentum for the final week of their campaign.

However, Unai Emery could well be pulling his hair out on Friday, based on the latest prediction from Opta’s supercomputer.

Supercomputer predicts outcome of Aston Villa vs Liverpool

Sitting fifth in the standings, Emery’s side have made themselves vulnerable ahead of the final two matches, with Bournemouth now just four points behind in sixth.

And ahead of the clash with Liverpool, Opta‘s supercomputer has made its prediction.

Handed a 33.4 per cent chance of taking three points on Friday, the Villans are the underdogs against an inconsistent Liverpool side.

And given the record against the Reds, it is not difficult to back this tag up.

With the last win against Liverpool coming in 2020, you have to go back another 10 years to find another home win at Villa Park, with the nation’s most successful side having the historical advantage.

Luckily, Manchester City could come to the aid of the Villans, just days before they lock horns on the final day of the term.

Bournemouth to be pegged back as Aston Villa stumble

In the second half of the season, Bournemouth have been scintillating, and now sit just four points away from Villa.

However, the Cherries are now set for a weekend off, with Manchester City taking part in the FA Cup final against Chelsea on Saturday.

As a result, the pair will lock horns next Tuesday, with Pep Guardiola’s side handed a 44.9 per cent chance of winning, compared to the 30.2 per cent of Bournemouth.

As a result, Emery’s side remain in firm control of the race for the top five, with an 87.27 per cent chance of qualifying for the Champions League.

Of course, this can be achieved via a Europa League win, though it would still be bitterly disappointing to miss out on the top five at the end of the term.

Villa are predicted to lose against Liverpool, but next week’s opponents Manchester City are also predicted to save the day for Emery and his side, allowing all the focus to be on the coming final against Freiburg.