Aston Villa–Liverpool

Aston Villa–Liverpool

 

Arsenal won, Liverpool won, and that's the status quo at the top of the Premier League. Both teams are fighting tooth and nail to drive the parade bus at the end of May, and as of now, Liverpool is the famous horsehead in front. The Reds now face two very tough, and potentially decisive, matches in the coming days. First, they travel to England's next largest city, Birmingham, to face Villa, before heading north again, with Pep's men on the other side of the pitch. It's clear that if these two games result in a point drop, Arsenal will suddenly be in serious trouble. Liverpool have everything to lose.

 

Aston Villa are five points off the crucial fifth place, and are experiencing an ever-so-slight decline in form. No win in their last four league games, and are coming off a very disappointing performance at home to Ipswich last weekend. Even without a man on the pitch for almost an hour, the home team managed to secure three points. Perhaps the stakes will be raised a few notches when the league leaders visit? The analysis below will hopefully lead to a profitable betting tip or two!

 

Aston Villa – Watkins, Rogers, Malen, Rashford and Asensio

 

Aston Villa are the club with all the attackers after the winter window blew again. No less than three faces at Villa Park were, and the greatest excitement was registered around Marcus Rashford. Villa have now taken a chance, actually on all three, so it remains to be seen whether these guys will fit in with established names like Watkins and Rogers. The aforementioned Rashford was praised after his performance at home against Ipswich, and perhaps he can get a start on Wednesday night against the club he has troubled on repeated occasions in the past. If Aston Villa manages to find the footballer in Marcus Rashford, they have a real resource available. A potent attack can stand face to face with Virgil van Dijk under the floodlights in Birmingham this evening.

 

Aston Villa have found themselves in a bit of a difficult position now. They are conceding too many goals, and a total goal difference of 35-38 is not all that great. However, what is more relevant ahead of this match is their rock-solid home form. They have only lost once on their own turf. If they had managed to tip any of the six draws in their favour, this could have really been something. What must be bothering Unai Emery heading into kick-off is all the injuries in the defensive ranks. Emery is already irritated that the match has been moved forward, and much of the reason for his frustration must be precisely this, that important players are out with injuries. Diego Costa has left the club, Pau Torres is injured, Konsa is injured, and most recently against Ipswich, substitute Boubacar Kamara had to throw in the towel. Against Liverpool, they will therefore have the injured Mings, and the loaned Disasi from Chelsea, who will stop Salah & co.

 

Liverpool – A critical week for the Reds' title ambitions

 

An in-depth analysis of Liverpool is probably no longer needed. We have mentioned the league leader on several occasions this season, and not much has changed. They are top of the league, seven points behind Arsenal, and have everything in their own hands. Ten wins away from league gold, and Slot could end up writing his name in gold already in his first season.

 

Liverpool are clearly the league's best away team. Not a single match has been lost, and in the thirteen games played, the Reds have nine wins and four draws. Perhaps just as impressive is the 34-14 goal difference – away from home! Whether this is because opponents are lower at Anfield than they are at home is uncertain, but it could of course have an impact. Because Liverpool love space behind them and quick transitions. We have seen it time and time again, Liverpool are capable of counter-attacking in the second half, and not many moves later the ball is in the goal on the other side. Aston Villa's injury problems in defence have probably been discussed, and it will not be surprising if Liverpool want to go out at a high pace when the match starts.

 

The away team is without in-form player Cody Gakpo. In the form the Dutchman has been in recently, it is a big loss. That most likely means Diaz on the wing, and Jota in the middle. The alternative is Darwin Nunez, but his substitution against Wolves last weekend probably scared no one. Alexander-Arnold is ready to play and will probably take the right-back position again, while the midfield trio is kept intact. Liverpool comes with solid league form, and knowing that some mistakes can't be afforded. Every match will be a cup final now.

 

Conclusion – We predict goals at Villa Park

 

When the home team struggles in defense, as well as struggling with form, and Liverpool needs three new points, it is a haven for goals and entertainment. Villa and Liverpool usually stand for goal-rich matches, and we don't think this Wednesday will be any different. Aston Villa has its strength up front on the pitch this evening, and I wonder if Rashford can get on the scoresheet? I'm guessing his motivation is extra sharp when it's their arch-enemy who is visiting. Liverpool need to step up a notch from the match against Wolves. A seemingly decided match was exciting, and Slot could announce that there is nothing to expect but that the matches will be close at this stage of the season. There is a lot at stake, and there are both injuries and wear and tear in the squad.

 

Both teams have been involved in tough matches in the last couple of weeks, and the common denominator is that they both concede and score goals to each other. Villa's fast wings, in addition to Watkins, will cause problems for Robertson and Trent, just as Diaz and Salah will be more than a handful for the home team. We imagine a game that waves, where both teams create great chances, and that we end up with more goals. In line with this, we also tip for a corner play, as we feel so confident in a football match with many chances. Fast wings and slightly stressed defenders tend to be a good omen in this regard.

 

England at 20:45: Aston Villa - Liverpool: Both teams score + Over 2.5 goals (1.84)

 

Alternative game

England at 20:45: Aston Villa – Liverpool: Over 10.5 corners (1.82)