By Sam McGuire
Why now?
This match was initially scheduled for the weekend of March 15/16, however Liverpool’s participation within the Carabao Cup last on March 16 meant the sport in opposition to Villa needed to be rearranged.
The hosts had requested for this sport to be pushed again and performed in a while within the marketing campaign however this, a lot to their frustration, was refused.
It means, when factoring within the FA Cup fixtures, Villa will find yourself enjoying a complete of seven matches throughout February, whereas the membership is ready to play only one Premier League match throughout March.
Liverpool, in the meantime, will go from having a sport in hand only one week in the past to having performed a sport greater than their title rivals.
Aston Villa’s stuttering type
Aston Villa claimed a fourth place end final time period and had been tipped for the same form of season this time round. Nevertheless, Unai Emery’s males now discover themselves in ninth place after a stop-start season.
They’ve received simply two of their final seven throughout all competitions and these victories got here in opposition to Celtic within the Champions League and Spurs within the FA Cup. They’ve misplaced in opposition to relegation threatened Wolves throughout this run whereas additionally solely managing to choose up attracts in opposition to Ipswich City and West Ham United.
In opposition to the Tractor Boys, they had been up in opposition to 10-men for a complete half however couldn’t overcome the guests. They did should win the sport although, racking up 25 pictures to 4, six huge probabilities to zero and ending with an xG of two.42.
If they’re to get something from this sport in opposition to the Premier League leaders, they’ll must be at their greatest. One thing they’ve struggled to do that time period.
Are the Reds working out of steam?
Liverpool have been lucky to have quite a few key participant stay match this season. However it is a blessing and a curse. Why? As a result of these key gamers have now racked up a whole lot of soccer and seem like feeling it of their legs.
In opposition to Wolves on Sunday, the Reds appeared good within the first half however then gave the impression to be utterly out of fuel after the break. They didn’t handle a single shot, at dwelling, within the second 45 minutes. Wolves, in the meantime, dominated issues. The away aspect had extra possession and out-shot their hosts 10-0. Had they managed to attain an equaliser, few in pink may’ve complained.
In opposition to Everton on Wednesday, Liverpool conceded a 98th minute equaliser having allowed their hosts to return again into the sport throughout the last moments of the match. It felt like deja vu in opposition to Wolves. They had been lucky to not undergo an identical destiny.
A repeat of that efficiency this time round, at Villa Park, may finish in defeat. Unai Emery’s aspect have the gamers to harm Liverpool, even with their many, many accidents.
The Mo Salah farewell tour continues
It’s feast or famine for Salah at Villa Park.
The Liverpool attacker scored twice within the 7-2 loss throughout the 2020/21 marketing campaign after which scored and assisted within the 3-1 win over the Villans throughout the 2022/23 season. Exterior of that, although, he’s blanked in three away video games.
The Premier League leaders will likely be hoping the three-time Golden Boot winner is as soon as once more feasting at Villa Park this week. He heads into the sport in high-quality type too. He at the moment has seven in his final six throughout all competitions and has a minimum of one objective involvement in every of his final six matches for the Reds.
Prediction
Villa are with out a host of names, with Emery unable to name upon the likes of Amadou Onana and Boubacar Kamara, whereas the Reds are anticipated to be with out Cody Gakpo and Joe Gomez. Nevertheless, Liverpool’s squad depth ought to be sufficient to see them, as soon as once more, recover from the road. We’re going with a slim 2-1 win.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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