Softfootball previews a compelling Premier League clash on Saturday between Liverpool and Aston Villa, analyzing key players, team news, and offering predictions.
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Liverpool, maintaining a flawless Champions League run, meets an Aston Villa team recently shaken in Europe. Liverpool, buoyed by a powerful 4-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen midweek, saw Colombian forward Luis Diaz shine with a hat trick, while Cody Gakpo also netted his first Champions League goal in a dominant Anfield display. This victory kept Liverpool at the summit of their Champions League group and brought them two points clear in the Premier League, benefiting from recent slip-ups by Arsenal and Manchester City. Under manager Arne Slot, Liverpool’s form has surprised many, positioning them as serious title contenders, and the Reds set another record last weekend by winning a Premier League game from behind for the 100th time.
In contrast, Aston Villa’s own strong European run ended abruptly in a 1-0 defeat to Club Brugge, with a controversial penalty taken following a bizarre incident involving Villa’s Tyrone Mings. This loss, combined with defeats to Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup and Tottenham in the league, sees Villa entering the Liverpool clash on a three-game losing streak. Villa, now sixth in the league, hasn’t won away against a top-two Premier League team since 2000 and has lost all nine recent away games to top-two opponents. Their last encounter with Liverpool, however, was a memorable 3-3 draw at Villa Park in May.
Team News
Liverpool’s injury list remains unchanged, with Harvey Elliott, Federico Chiesa, Alisson Becker, and Diogo Jota all sidelined until after the international break. Slot is expected to make tactical adjustments, with Diaz possibly shifting back to his left-wing role and Darwin Nunez set to return as the central striker. Andrew Robertson and Dominik Szoboszlai may also replace Kostas Tsimikas and Curtis Jones, respectively, for this game.
Villa faces some injury setbacks of their own; Matty Cash and Ross Barkley are doubtful for Anfield. Following his midweek misstep, Mings may not start, allowing Pau Torres a potential spot in defense. Amadou Onana and Jacob Ramsey are also likely replacements for Boubacar Kamara and Leon Bailey in the lineup.
Projected Liverpool lineup: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Nunez
Projected Aston Villa lineup: Martinez; Konsa, Torres, Carlos, Digne; Onana, Tielemans; McGinn, Rogers, Ramsey; Watkins
Villa’s attack may pose some threat to Liverpool’s defense, which had close calls despite their clean sheet against Leverkusen. Yet, with Liverpool’s dominant home form and fresher legs after an extra day’s rest, they look poised to take all three points and enter the international break firmly on top.
