Aston Villa and Liverpool prepare for a huge Premier League clash at Villa Park on Friday evening, with both clubs battling to secure Champions League football for next season.
Aston Villa have taken to their official X account to share highlights from their 7-2 Premier League win over Liverpool on 4 October 2020, featuring multiple goals and celebrations in an empty Villa Park during the pandemic.
Watch the video below:
Villa enter the contest after a frustrating 2-2 draw against already-relegated Burnley, a result that highlighted how their demanding Europa League campaign has affected domestic consistency in recent weeks.
However, Unai Emery’s side remain in a strong position after reaching the Europa League final with an emphatic 4-0 second-leg victory over Nottingham Forest, sealing a dominant 4-1 aggregate triumph.
The Midlands club currently sit fifth in the table, level on points with fourth placed Liverpool and only behind on goal difference. With sixth-placed Bournemouth four points back and only two matches remaining, Villa know victory on Friday could go a long way toward securing a top-five finish and Champions League qualification.
Liverpool, meanwhile, continue to struggle for rhythm despite remaining in the driving seat for a Champions League place. The reigning Premier League champions were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw by Chelsea in their last outing, days after suffering a dramatic 3-2 defeat away to Manchester United.
Arne Slot’s side still have an outside chance of finishing third, though their inconsistent away form remains a major concern. Liverpool have lost eight of their 18 Premier League away matches this season, underlining the need for significant improvement if they are to challenge seriously for the title next campaign.
With only fine margins separating the two sides and enormous pressure surrounding the race for the top four, Friday’s showdown at Villa Park could prove decisive in shaping the final Premier League standings.
Team News
Aston Villa are expected to assess player fitness carefully following their demanding Europa League schedule. Long-term absentees Boubacar Kamara and Amadou Onana remain unavailable, while Unai Emery could consider minor rotation after recent European exertions. Emiliano Buendia is expected to return to the starting lineup after beginning the draw against Burnley on the bench.
Ollie Watkins will once again lead Villa’s attack after contributing 12 goals in his last 13 appearances across all competitions.
Liverpool are definitely without Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike, Giovanni Leoni, and Wataru Endo. Ibrahima Konate, Alisson, Mohamed Salah, and Florian Wirtz all face late fitness assessments ahead of kickoff.
Alexander Isak made his return from injury off the bench against Chelsea and is pushing for a place in the starting lineup.
Possible Lineups
Aston Villa possible starting lineup:
Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne; Lindelof, Tielemans; McGinn, Rogers, Buendia; Watkins
Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Mamardashvili; Jones, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Wirtz, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Isak
How to watch:
| Platform | Details |
|---|---|
| TV Broadcast | SuperSport |
| Live Stream | DStv Now / Showmax |
| Kick-off Time | 8:00 PM (WAT) |
| Venue | Villa Park in Birmingham, England |
Match prediction
Softfootball predicts Villa to edge a narrow 2-1 victory.
Aston Villa’s strong home performances and Liverpool’s struggles away from Anfield could prove decisive. Expect a tense and entertaining contest.
