Two clubs looking to secure qualification for next season’s Champions League meet at Villa Park on Friday night as fifth-placed Aston Villa entertain fourth-placed Liverpool in what should be a watchable clash.
Aston Villa saw their winless run in the Premier League extend to three matches last weekend, as they could only draw 2-2 away at already relegated Burnley.
That draw came three days after Unai Emery’s charges qualified for the final of the Europa League, as they defeated fellow Premier League side Nottingham Forest 4-0 on the night at Villa Park – on an evening both of my selections landed – and 4-1 overall on aggregate.
Liverpool also suffered a disappointing stalemate in the Premier League last weekend, as they could only draw 1-1 at home to an out-of-form Chelsea side.
Arne Slot’s men were beaten 3-2 at rivals Manchester United in their previous away clash, meaning they have lost three of their previous four away matches in the English top flight.
Only goal difference separates these two clubs in the Premier League table, with a win for either side confirming their qualification for next season’s Champions League.
How the bookies view it: Liverpool favourites
Despite losing three of their last four Premier League matches on their travels, Liverpool have been installed as favourites to leave Villa Park with all three points, with bet365 pricing an away success at 6/5.
Aston Villa are 15/8 to put a halt to their three-match winless run in the Premier League, whilst the draw is 14/5.
Head to head: 10 unbeaten for the Reds
Liverpool are unbeaten in each of their previous 10 Premier League meetings with Aston Villa (W7-D3-L0), including a 2-0 victory in the reverse fixture at Anfield at the beginning of November.
However, the last two clashes at Villa Park have been high-scoring draws (3-3 & 2-2).
Players to watch: In-form Ollie to strike again?
Ollie Watkins is a man in red-hot form at the moment, as he has scored nine goals and provided three assists across his previous 13 matches in all competitions, including a goal at Turf Moor against Burnley last weekend.
The England international also scored in the corresponding fixture last season, and is an appealing 20/21 at bet365 to Score or Assist on Friday night.
Backed a player to find the net? Check our Goalscorer Betting guide to see how the markets work and where to find value.
Predicted line-ups:
Aston Villa will still be without the injured Boubacar Kamara and Jadon Sancho, whilst Amadou Onana is a doubt.
Liverpool will still be missing Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley, Wataru Endo and Hugo Ekitike through injury, whilst Allison, Florian Wirtz and Mo Salah are doubts.
Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne, Barkley, Tielemans, McGinn, Buendia, Rogers, Watkins
Liverpool: Mamardashvili, Jones, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Frimpong, Gakpo, Isak
Anything else catch the eye?
As alluded to, the last two meetings at this venue were high-scoring draws, and a similarly goal-heavy clash looks on the cards on Friday night.
Liverpool’s opening 18 away matches in the Premier League this season have averaged 3.00 goals per game, with Over 2.5 Goals banking in 13 (72%) of them – including in each of their last four – whilst 12 of those clashes have also produced goals at both ends.
Six of Villa’s last eight Premier League outings have delivered goals at both ends – with Over 2.5 Goals also landing in each of their previous four at home in all competitions – and combining the pair pays 3/4 at Coral/Ladbrokes.
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