Unai Emery’s Aston Villa look to spring a surprise as the Villains host Liverpool at Villa Park.
Victory could see Villa enter the top ten depnding upon results of earlier kick-offs on Boxing Day, whilst Liverpool could look to reclaim sixth with a win if they’re leapfrogged by Brighton prior to kick-off.
Team News
Emiliano Martinez is ruled out for Aston Villa as he continues to celebrate Argentina’s World Cup victory back in Bueno Aires, whilst back-up goalkeeper – Robin Olsen is a doubt with a knock.
Martinez’s fellow Villa teammates who were at the World Cup; Matty Cash, Jan Bednarek, Leander Dendoncker and Douglas Luiz meanwhile are all in contention for selection.
Philippe Coutinho (muscle) and Diego Carlos (Achilles) both remain absent, as Jacob Ramsey (hamstring) now joins them on the sidelines.
Liverpool could be without James Milner after he suffered a hamstring injury during their Carabao Cup exit at Manchester City.
Curtis Jones (shin), Arthur Melo (thigh), Luis Diaz (knee), Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota (both calf) remain absent.
Alisson, Virgil Van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Trent Alexander-Arnold could all return after they were left out of the Reds’ Carabao Cup exit at Man City, although Alexander-Arnold’s absence was due to illness following his return from the World Cup.
Stat Attack
- Aston Villa have won just one of their last nine league meetings against Liverpool (W1, L8).
- Liverpool are unbeaten in seven of their last eight league visits to Anfield (W7, L1).
- Villa have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last eight Premier League home games against Liverpool.
- Villa are yet to keep a clean sheet under Unai Emery in all competitions, having scored seven goals but conceded six goals in three matches (W2, L1).
- Liverpool have kept just one clean sheet in six domestic away matches this season (W1, D2, L3), which came in a goalless Merseyside derby against Everton in September.
Prediction
Having enjoyed a positive start under Unai Emery shortly before the international break in which they faced two tricky tests against Manchester United, Villa shouldn’t have much to fear coming into this clash if they can deliver fast-flowing clinical attacks which saw off Brighton last time out.
Martinez’s absence though will be felt in goal especially if Olsen isn’t fit enough for selection, which will mean extra work for their defence to protect Jed Steer who has played just five matches in 2022, albeit on loan at Luton during last season.
Liverpool’s defensive issues meanwhile remain a serious issue as Manchester City repeatedly exposed during the Reds’ Carabao Cup defeat just days ago, yet their attacking quality clearly is improving after a difficult first half of the season so I expect them to be a real threat throughout.
The first goal therefore will be crucial because if Villa get it, anything could happen but if Liverpool can take an early lead, I can’t see anything stopping the Reds from winning this game even if they concede.
Prediction: Aston Villa 1-2 Liverpool
Result: Aston Villa 1-3 Liverpool
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