Aston Villa vs Liverpool: Preview, Prediction & Betting Tips

Aston Villa host Liverpool in the Premier League hoping to pick up a result to officially secure Champions League football for next season.

Date: 13/05/24

Kick-off time: 20:00

Venue: Villa Park

It has been a fantastic campaign for Aston Villa, as they look set to qualify for the Champions League. They are currently in fourth, and despite their recent loss to Brighton, they remain in full control of their destiny, following Tottenham’s poor form. With two games remaining, Villa have 67 points, and are seven clear of Spurs, though they have played a game more. However, it would take an unlikely collapse and sudden upturn in fortune for their rivals for there to be any change in the table.

Liverpool, in contrast, had long been part of a three-way battle for the league title with Man City and Arsenal, but just two wins in six has seen them slip away. It is not the ending to the season Jurgen Klopp would have hoped for as he prepares to depart the club upon its conclusion. Though their play has dipped of late, they enjoyed a 4-2 win over Spurs last time out, as they are locked in to third place.

Goals should be a feature in what is expected to be an entertaining game, with two potent attacks on display. The Reds have scored nine in their last four and have conceded seven. Villa have not been as free-flowing of late, but have still scored seven in the same period. Their most dangerous attacking threat is Ollie Watkins, who has found the back of the net 19 times. Only four players have scored more all season, and he will be confident in adding to his tally at home. Just behind him in the scoring charts is Mo Salah, with 18. This means both offences should be on top.

Six meetings have taken place in the Premier League since 2021. They have been dominated by Liverpool with five wins and a draw. The reverse fixture earlier this season at Anfield ended in the hosts’ favour as they came out convincing 3-0 winners. Dominik Szoboszlai gave them a very early advantage before a Matty Cash own goal and Salah strike added to the lead.

Aston Villa

Villa have a number of season-ending injuries, but could welcome back Emi Martinez and Youri Tielemans from short term absences. Unai Emery should have no other new injury concerns.

Liverpool

Diogo Jota could make his return from injury this weekend. Joel Matip and Thiago Alcantara remain out.

Aston Villa

In their last five games, Aston Villa have won one, drawn one and lost three. It has been a mixed stretch for Villa, despite their strong position in the Premier League table. This run began with European action against Lille in the Europa Conference League quarter-final. The French side beat them 2-1 in the second leg, matching the score from the first leg. However, the English side prevailed 4-3 on penalties to advance to the semi-finals of the competition. They were close to elimination, down two goals with three minutes to go, but Matty Cash scored late on to keep them alive.

Focus shifted back to the league, and they beat Bournemouth 3-1 at home. They had to come from behind after Dominic Solanke gave the visitors the lead from the penalty spot. Goals from Morgan Rogers, Moussa Diaby and Leon Bailey turned it around. They could not continue this winning momentum as they dropped points against Chelsea. They squandered a two-goal lead as they drew 2-2. A Marc Cucurella own goal and Rogers strike had given them a comfortable advantage at the break, but the visitors fought back in the second half with goals from Noni Madueke and Conor Gallagher. They were lucky not to lose at the death, as VAR ruled out a potential winner from Axel Disasi for a foul.

European football was back on the agenda for the semi-final. They took on Olympiakos at home, but suffered a crushing 4-2 loss in the first leg. The Greek side took a 2-0 lead as Ayoub El Kaabi netted a brace, but Ollie Watkins and Diaby got them back on level terms. However, parity was not restored for long as El Kaabi completed his hat-trick and Santiago Hezze added a fourth. Their most recent game was a trip to Brighton in which they lost 1-0 to a late Joao Pedro goal after he rebounded his own penalty miss.

Liverpool

In their last five games, Liverpool have won three, drawn one and lost one. It has been a difficult stretch for the Reds, in which they were knocked out of Europe and saw their title hopes slip away. This run started with a win as they beat Atalanta 1-0 in the second leg of the Europa League quarterfinals, though they were eliminated after a 3-0 first leg defeat. They had a tall task of turning it around, but they got off to the perfect start as Salah converted from the penalty spot after just seven minutes. Liverpool were dominant in possession but could not score any more goals as they prematurely crashed out of the competition.

They returned to Premier League action with another win, 3-1 away at Fulham. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ryan Gravenberch and Diogo Jota were the scorers. Timothy Castagne equalised for Fulham on the stroke of half-time but his side were unable to get a result. A trip to Merseyside rivals Everton followed, and their title chances suffered a huge blow with a 2-0 loss. Jarrad Branthwaite broke the deadlock just before the half hour mark. Dominic Calvert-Lewin gave Everton some breathing room with another on the hour, and they were able to hold on.

They dropped more points in a 2-2 draw at West Ham which was an exciting game. Jarrod Bowen had given the hosts the lead on the stroke of half-time, but Andrew Robertson equalised almost immediately after the restart. Alphonse Areola diverted the ball into his own net to give the visitors a lead, though Antonio scored another to ensure the points were shared. Their most recent game was a home game against Tottenham, in which they won 4-2. They had gone 4-0 up thanks to goals from Salah, Robertson, Cody Gakpo and Harvey Elliott, before Spurs threatened a comeback late on.

Aston Villa are firmly the favourites to finish fourth, and we expect them to strengthen their position with a point against Liverpool. The visitors’ recent results has seen them fade away in the race for the title, and more dropped points will follow – Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool

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Aston Villa vs Liverpool will be available to watch on Sky Sports Main Event & Premier League.

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