Liverpool vs Aston Villa – Premier League Preview and Prediction | OneFootball

Liverpool v Aston Villa – Premier League Preview

Date – 9th November 2024

Venue – Anfield

Kick off – 8pm

Following a midweek of differing results for each of these clubs (in the Champions League), the Premier League resumes with a Saturday evening game under the Anfield lights. The tactical game plan of both elite level coaches, Arne Slot, and Unai Emery, will make this an intriguing encounter, one that could see Liverpool enter the upcoming international break as resounding league leaders.

Aston Villa Team News

In terms of availability, Ross Barkley, and Matty Cash, are both unavailable for this weekend trip.

Regarding early season form, the midlands club enter this game on the back of three straight defeats. On Wednesday evening, a trip to Belgium ended in a surprise 1-0 defeat against Club Brugge. A demonizing 4-1 loss at White Hart Lane was recorded last weekend against Spurs, following a 1-2 loss at home to Crystal Palace last midweek, as the Villains crashed out of the EFL Cup at the fourth-round stage.

Photo: IMAGO

After ten games played in the English top tier, the visiting club sit sixth in the Premier League table, with eighteen points on the board. A win at Anfield could move Emery’s men into the top three, however, a loss could see last season’s fourth placed side plummet into mid table.

A predicted line up for the away team is listed below, in a 4-2-3-1 formation. I expect significant changes from the trip across Europe, with Jhon Durán offering a different dynamic to the regular starting striker, Ollie Watkins. A workmanlike middle ground will likely be employed by the Spanish manager, one that will look to swarm the reds talented assets.

Predicted lineup: Emiliano Martínez, Ezri Konsa, Diego Carlos, Pau Torres, Lucas Digne, Amadou Onana, Boubacar Kamara, Emi Buendía, Jacob Ramsey, John McGinn, Jhon Durán

Liverpool Team News

In terms of injures, Harvey Elliott remains sidelined until after the international break, as he continues to rehabilitate from a fractured foot. Federico Chiesa will be out for an undetermined period with an ongoing fitness regime, designed to improve the Italians physicality. Alisson Becker remains on the injury list, whereas Diogo Jota is out for another few weeks with an ongoing rib injury.

Photo: IMAGO

Regarding recent form, the reds welcomed Bayer Leverkusen to Anfield on Tuesday, where they promptly battered the German side with an emphatic 4-0 score line. A very impressive comeback saw Liverpool beat Brighton, 1-2, at Anfield last Saturday, after last midweeks domestic cup tie which saw Arne Slot successfully enter the next round of the EFL Cup with a 2-3 win, away to Brighton.

Below is the team I believe the Dutch boss, Arne Slot, will start for this tricky home encounter. I suspect nearly all starters (from the early midweek Champions League game) will start once more, with the Hungarian pressing machine, Dominik Szoboszlai, coming back into the side.

Predicted Lineup: Caoimhin Kelleher, Trent Alexander Arnold, Ibrahima Konaté, Virgil van Dijk (c), Kostas Tsimikas, Curtis Jones, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, Mohamed Salah, Luis Díaz, Cody Gakpo

How Will This Contest Play Out

Liverpool will have to be aggressive and decisive in this game, with Villa looking to eradicate a forgettable run of games. The powerful running of Morgan Rogers will have to be closed off by the Liverpool midfield, however, the attacking potency of the hosts should see them continue their incredible run. Luis Díaz was sensational in the false nine position against Bayer Leverkusen, which should see him hold onto his starting role.

Player to watch – Luis Díaz

Score Prediction – Liverpool 3 – 0 Aston Villa