Aston Villa vs Liverpool Preview
- Liverpool to win
- Diaz to score
Aston Villa host league leaders Liverpool in a crucial midweek Premier League clash, with both teams eager to strengthen their positions at opposite ends of the table. Villa are struggling to stay in the top-four race, while Liverpool continue their relentless pursuit of the title.
Can Unai Emery’s side end their four-match winless streak, or will Arne Slot’s Reds continue their dominance in this fixture?
Aston Villa: Can They Reignite Their Top-Four Push?
Despite enjoying a 12-match unbeaten home run (W6, D6) in the Premier League, Aston Villa have been faltering in recent weeks.
A 1-1 draw against relegation-threatened Ipswich Town at the weekend made it four league games without a win (D3, L1) and left them six points outside the Champions League spots.
Their inability to put away struggling teams is a major concern, and with a poor H2H record against Liverpool (W1, D2, L11 in the last 14 league meetings), they need a huge performance to get anything here.
Aston Villa’s Key Concerns
- No wins in their last four Premier League games (D3, L1).
- Struggled against bottom-half teams like Ipswich (1-1) and Wolves (0-2).
- Poor record vs. Liverpool – only one league win in 14 meetings.
Recent Form (Last Five Matches in All Competitions)
- Premier League: Aston Villa 1-1 Ipswich – D
- FA Cup: Aston Villa 2-1 Tottenham – W
- Premier League: Aston Villa 2-2 Fulham – D
- Premier League: Wolves 2-0 Aston Villa – L
- Premier League: Everton 1-0 Aston Villa – L
Why Aston Villa Can Get a Result
- Strong home record – unbeaten in 12 league games at Villa Park.
- Ollie Watkins has a good record vs. Liverpool (five goals).
- Liverpool showed vulnerabilities in their narrow 2-1 win over Wolves.
Key Player: Ollie Watkins
- Only scored more Premier League goals vs. Brighton (7) and Arsenal (6) than Liverpool (5).
- Villa’s top scorer this season.
- Could exploit Liverpool’s occasional defensive lapses.
Liverpool: Another Step Towards the Title?
Liverpool’s relentless march towards the title continued with a 2-1 win over Wolves at the weekend, even though they were far from their best. They have now stretched their Premier League unbeaten run to 21 matches (W14, D7) and maintain a seven-point lead over Arsenal at the top.
History also favours the Reds in this fixture—they have won more games (43) and scored more goals (160) at Villa Park than at any other away venue.
Liverpool’s Key Strengths
- Unbeaten in 21 Premier League matches.
- Best away attack in the league – 30 goals scored on the road.
- Dominant H2H record vs. Villa – 11 wins in the last 14 meetings.
Recent Form (Last Five Matches in All Competitions)
- Premier League: Liverpool 2-1 Wolves – W
- FA Cup: Plymouth 1-0 Liverpool – L
- Premier League: Everton 2-2 Liverpool – D
- Premier League: Bournemouth 0-2 Liverpool – W
- EFL Cup: Liverpool 5-1 Tottenham – W
Why Liverpool Will Be Confident
- Incredible record at Villa Park (43 wins, 160 goals).
- Luis Díaz in top form – nine league goals, best tally in a single season.
- Villa struggling against top-six opposition.
Key Player: Luis Díaz
- Nine Premier League goals this season – his best-ever tally.
- Scored and assisted in his last two matches.
- A key player in Liverpool’s dynamic attack.
Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Meetings in All Competitions)
- 03/09/24 – Liverpool 3-0 Aston Villa (Premier League)
- 20/05/23 – Liverpool 1-1 Aston Villa (Premier League)
- 26/12/22 – Aston Villa 1-3 Liverpool (Premier League)
- 10/05/22 – Aston Villa 1-2 Liverpool (Premier League)
- 11/12/21 – Liverpool 1-0 Aston Villa (Premier League)
Key Trends
- Liverpool unbeaten in their last six visits to Villa Park (W5, D1).
- Villa have only beaten Liverpool once in the last 14 league meetings.
- Liverpool won the reverse fixture 3-0 earlier this season.
Tactical Insights
Aston Villa’s Approach
- Defend deep and look to hit Liverpool on the counter.
- Utilise Watkins’ pace against Liverpool’s high line.
- Target set-pieces – a potential weakness for Liverpool.
Liverpool’s Strategy
- Control possession and press Villa high up the pitch.
- Exploit Villa’s full-backs with the pace of Salah and Díaz.
- Be patient – Villa’s defensive setup could frustrate them.
Prediction and Final Thoughts
Villa have been strong at home but struggled against top opposition. Liverpool, despite some recent inconsistencies, remain the best team in the league right now and have dominated this fixture in recent years.
Expect Villa to be tough to break down, but Liverpool’s superior attacking firepower should eventually prove decisive.
Predicted Scoreline: Aston Villa 1-2 Liverpool
- Villa’s home resilience will make it competitive.
- Liverpool’s quality should shine through in the second half.
- Expect Watkins and Díaz to be among the goals.
Final Verdict
This is a crucial game for both sides, but Liverpool’s strong H2H record and attacking depth should see them through. Villa will put up a fight, but Liverpool’s title charge looks set to continue.
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Aston Villa v Liverpool, 2024/25 | Premier League