Unai Emery continued to grow his reputation as one of the best coaches in the world when it comes to success in European competition, but it's come with a price this season. While making the top 8 of the UEFA Champions League was an incredible achievement, a run of just two league wins since the turn of the year has left Villa adrift of the European qualification places and on the brink of dropping into the bottom half of the table. They could do with a win.
Liverpool continue to march on to a Premier League title in Arne Slot's first season in charge, despite rarely blowing any team away. A narrow 2-1 win over relegation-threatened Wolves last time out restored their 7-point lead at the top of the table, but the 2-2 draw with Everton in the final Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park proved they can be stopped. Villa will have reason to believe they can do something similar in front of a raucous crowd at Villa Park, but the hosts will have to be at their very best.
Aston Villa vs Liverpool Team News
On top of their struggles to perform following midweek European adventures, a lengthy injury isn't helping Unai Emery either. Amadou Onana, Ross Barkley, Pau Torres and Boubacar Kamara are all sidelined, while Leon Bailey, Ezri Konsa and Matty Cash will have to prove their fitness.
Things are much brighter on the injury front for Liverpool with no major concerns. Joe Gomez and Tyler Morton are injured, but the only crucial cog in the machine who could be absent is Cody Gakpo, who is a doubt for this clash.
Aston Villa vs Liverpool Possible Lineups
Some good news for Unai Emery is that Tyrone Mings has recovered from a knee injury and may be able to replace makeshift centre-back Boubacar Kamara in the backline. Villa fans will be hoping that Ollie Watkins can add to his 11 league goals, while Man United loanee Marcus Rashford could start as the hosts look for a special spark to pull off a famous win.
Aston Villa Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Garcia, Disasi, Mings, Digne; McGinn, Tielemans; Malen, Rogers, Rashford; Watkins
Darwin Nunez could be rotated into the side for Liverpool as a physical presence up top could be valuable away at a capable side. In defence and midfield, Slot has a well-defined starting X1 from which he is unlikely to veer too far away.
Liverpool Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Luis Diaz; Darwin Nunez
Be sure to head back to Sporticos an hour before kick-off to get updated official lineups and other stats.
Aston Villa vs Liverpool Prediction
Unai Emery is an astute tactician and can often surprise opponents who are deemed to be superior. The Spaniard will know that this is a huge game and should be fired up by the prospect of a tactical battle with Arne Slot. It would not be a great surprise to see Villa pick up a point here.
Prediction: Aston Villa 1 - 1 Liverpool
Every Liverpool game is exciting right now because any slip-up from them could open the door to Arsenal and spice up the Premier League title race. Gunners fans and neutrals will likely be hoping Villa can take some points off them and add to the excitement of the run-in.
Fans in the UK can watch Aston Villa vs Liverpool on TV with TNT Sports and via live streaming on the Discovery+ platform.
