In a highly anticipated clash, Aston Villa is set to go head-to-head against Liverpool in the thrilling late fixture of the 37th round of the Premier League.
Despite Tottenham’s hard-fought 2-1 victory over Burnley, Aston Villa finds itself in a commanding position in the race for a top-four finish. With a four-point lead over Spurs, both teams having played 36 matches, a win against Liverpool would all but secure Unai Emery’s men a coveted spot in next season’s Champions League.
However, securing a victory against Liverpool is no easy feat, even with the advantage of playing at home.
Liverpool, having already secured their Champions League qualification and with no chances of winning the title, may seemingly have less at stake. Nevertheless, under the guidance of Jurgen Klopp, the Reds are expected to give their all in their remaining two matches at Anfield.
Recent head-to-head records heavily favor Liverpool, with the “Reds” remaining unbeaten in their previous five encounters with Villa. Claiming four wins and a solitary draw, they have been a formidable force. However, it is worth noting that Villa’s most recent victory against Liverpool was a remarkable 7-2 triumph at Villa Park back in October 2020, showcasing their ability to rise to the occasion.
In terms of team news, Aston Villa will need to assess the availability of Morgan Rogers, Nicolo Zaniolo, and Youri Tielemans, who were absent from the midweek clash against Olympiakos. On the other hand, Jacob Ramsey, Tyrone Mings, Emi Buendia, and Boubacar Kamara are among the long-term absentees for Villa.
As for Liverpool, no new injury concerns have arisen. Ben Doak, Joel Matip, and Thiago Alcantara will remain sidelined for the remainder of the season.
Expected Lineups:
Aston Villa: Robin Olsen, Ezri Konsa, Diego Carlos, Pau Torres, Lucas Digne, John McGinn, Douglas Luiz, Leon Bailey, Morgan Rogers, Moussa Diaby, Ollie Watkins.
Liverpool: Alisson, Trent-Alexander Arnold, Jarell Quansah, Virgil van Dijk, Andrew Robertson, Harvey Elliott, Wataru Endo, Alexis Mac Allister, Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz.