Aston Villa vs Liverpool Prediction

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Aston Villa vs Liverpool Prediction Match Overview

Boxing Day sees the return of league football after players’ escapades at the World Cup. Aston Villa vs Liverpool kicks off at 5.30 pm at Villa Park. Indeed, at the World Cup, Tyrone Mings and Matty Cash were in the England and Poland squads, respectively. However, the former played little, and the latter was eliminated in the Round of 16. Therefore, they should be prepared. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez won the tournament with Argentina, so Robin Olsen will fill in for him as he celebrates. Liverpool’s English, Brazilian, Uruguayan, and Dutch players were all eliminated in the quarter-final stage or earlier, so they should be ready to go. Frenchman Ibrahima Konate made the final, so has time off. There are niggles for key Liverpool players such as Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil Van Dijk, but they should be fine.

Aston Villa have had a mixed recent six matches, winning three and losing three. There was the high of a 3-1 home victory over Manchester United. This result, however, is offset by a 4-0 battering away to Newcastle and a 2-0 home loss to Chelsea. They have scored nine and conceded eleven over this run. Hence, they are a Jekyll and Hyde-type team at the moment and can play well or poorly on any given day with little pattern. However, they have won the last two.

After a dismal start to the season, Liverpool have recovered somewhat and are now fifth in the form table over the previous six matches. This run includes four wins, with notable ones over Manchester City and Tottenham. However, consecutive losses during that run to Nottingham Forest and Leeds were opportunities missed. Still, Liverpool will fancy their chances against Villa. They will see the return of the Premier League as an excellent way to start again and raise their standards to the very high levels we have seen in previous seasons.

Aston Villa vs Liverpool Team News

Injuries and Suspensions

Might Not Play: Sanson (Aston Villa); Konate, Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)

Will Not Play: Martinez, Ramsey, Diego Carlos Coutinho (Aston Villa); Diaz, Firmino, Jones, Jota, Milner, Arthur Melo (Liverpool)

Possible Lineups

Aston Villa (4-3-3): Robin Olsen; Lucas Digne, Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa, Matty Cash; Douglas Luiz, Boubacar Kamara, John McGinn; Ollie Watkins, Leon Bailey, Danny Ings

Liverpool (4-3-3): Alisson; Andy Robertson, Virgil Van Dijk, Joel Matip, Trent Alexander-Arnold; Fabinho, Thiago Alcantara, Harvey Elliott; Fabio Carvalho, Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez

Aston Villa vs Liverpool Prediction Analysis

Midfield Contest

Both teams will likely line up in 4-3-3 formations. Aston Villa coach Unai Emery is still new to the job but will look to implement a pressing style. Liverpool will probably maintain their counter-press, whereby they look to win the ball high up the pitch as soon as they lose it. This style of pressuring the defenders and defensive midfielders of the opposition team has served Liverpool well over the years. Luiz, McGinn and Kamara will have to protect the ball when Liverpool swarms them in midfield and in forward areas through Salah and Carvalho. Liverpool lost to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup midweek. However, they played well and forced openings by winning the ball in dangerous positions. Emery will be aware of this threat, and his team must be brave on the ball. If Villa can play through the high pressing, they may be able to find spaces and create opportunities themselves.

Fabinho plays a crucial role in that defensive midfield position for Liverpool. He will likely be partnered by Thiago Alcantara and Harvey Elliott, though Jordan Henderson is another possible option. Fabinho endeavours to mop up any breakthroughs the opposition create in midfield. He will have to track McGinn on runs forward and fill the wide positions when Robertson and Alexander-Arnold (if he plays) advance. Watkins will come inside often as more of a striker, and Bailey is very quick and full of tricks, so the Liverpool midfield and defence must be mindful. Thiago will try to get on the ball for Liverpool and make things happen by attempting to control the game, linking with Elliott. The latter will also try to support the attack. Liverpool will likely dominate possession in this game, with Villa playing on the counter-attack. However, there will be spells where Villa are on top. Ironically, Liverpool might be at their most dangerous in these moments, as they will be at their counter-pressing best and able to use their pace on the break.

Attacking Areas and Liverpool’s Injuries Here

As stated, Villa will look to use the pace of Watkins and Bailey in behind. The marauding Digne and Cash will ably support them in Aston Villa vs Liverpool. The former is a significant threat from crosses and set pieces with his delivery, and the penalty box poacher Ings could thrive on his service. Cash is a good driver with the ball and offers overloads and possible avenues into the box. He and Bailey on that right side is a good blend of pace, trickery, and invention that Robertson and Carvalho must be diligent in trying to stop. If Villa can gain a foothold in the game, they have it in them to create chances against the Liverpool defence. The Merseysiders might not be fully sharp (given Alexander-Arnold’s niggles and Van Dijk’s efforts in Qatar). Villa will use various weapons to try to hurt Liverpool. Balls into the box, both low and high in open play, and set pieces, are potential avenues of success. They will also try to get Bailey and Watkins isolated one-on-one with the full-backs so they can come inside and shoot. In this respect, Alexander-Arnold must be better defensively than he has been in spells this season.

Speaking of Alexander-Arnold, his creativity, crossing, and passing ability will be important attacking weapons for Liverpool as always. His link-up with Salah on that right side has been devastating in years gone by, and they will look to get at Digne and exploit any spaces he leaves. Salah’s pace, dribbling, and ability to come inside constitute a massive threat to Villa. Carvalho will likely play on the left due to injuries, as he did against Manchester City. Three of Liverpool’s finest attacking players – Roberto Firmino, Diogo Jota, and Luis Diaz, who would occupy that left channel – are out. Carvalho looks like a promising player and must use his cleverness and good technique to try to link up with Robertson and make his way into the box. Nunez has come in for much criticism recently, but he has been getting chances even if he is missing. He will hope to use his pace and power to find dangerous positions in this game.

Beat the Bookmaker Aston Villa vs Liverpool Prediction

Aston Villa vs Liverpool is a match where one team is clearly superior on paper but have had an underwhelming first half of the season. In fairness, Liverpool are fifth in the form table over the last six games. However, the six-week break and midweek loss to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup raise questions. Will Liverpool be able to find their old selves in the second half of the season? Villa are a good team, mid-table level in our estimation based on talent. They also have a quality manager in Emery. Jurgen Klopp will be anticipating pitting his wits against the Spaniard. This match should be a good one between two good teams. Liverpool have injuries in attacking areas where Villa will look to take advantage. However, we think Liverpool possess too much talent to continue the malaise they have been in all season. Indeed, the World Cup has been the perfect opportunity to reset. We believe Liverpool will indeed start to find good form again, beginning with a win here. Martinez’s absence in the Villa goal could be crucial.

Aston Villa 1-2 Liverpool

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