Aston Villa got back to winning ways last weekend against Fulham but they might not be so lucky this time around since they will take on Liverpool at Anfield.
The win last Sunday means Villa are currently ninth on the Premier League table with 44 points but they still have a game in hand from the other top-four contenders. Liverpool, on the other hand, have not had the best of weeks, losing 3-1 to Real Madrid in the Champions League and Dean Smith will be hoping his side can use this to their advantage and dent another blow to Liverpool’s top-four hopes.
Aston Villa came out as 7-2 winners in the reverse fixture but we do not expect such a fancy result this time around. Though given the poor form of Liverpool at Anfield in the past couple of months, there’s every chance the visiting side might manage to pick up something on Saturday.
Smith’s side barely managed to get out of jail vs Fulham last weekend meaning they are still very much in the hunt for European qualification next season. But for that, they will need to pick up all three points this weekend.
Aston Villa team news vs Liverpool:
The backline should see no changes on Saturday with Ezri Konsa and Mings playing in central defence and Targett along with cash operating as the two full-backs.
Morgan Sanson and Douglas Luiz played in defensive midfield vs Fulham last weekend and they are likely to reprise their role against Liverpool as well.
John McGinn played in the attacking midfielder’s role last weekend but Ross Barkley is expected to operate in that role when Villa head to Anfield.
Jack Grealish was supposed to return from injury last weekend but the England international suffered a late setback and right now, he remains a doubt for the Liverpool game as well.
Trezeguet came off the bench to score twice against Fulham and with Grealish likely to miss out, he should be operating on the left wing.
Ollie Watkins scored the third goal for Aston Villa last weekend and he will lead the line against Liverpool with Traore on the right flank.
Liverpool’s predicted XI vs Villa:
Predicted Line-up(4-2-3-1): Martinez; Cash, Targett, Konsa, Mings; Sanson, Douglas Luiz, Ross Barkley; Trezeguet, Watkins, Traore.
Injury updates via Premier Injuries.
