Aston Villa v Liverpool – Premier League Preview

VaselineMay 12, 2024

1 2 minutes read

Aston Villa v Liverpool – Premier League Preview

Premier League Final

Monday Night Football returns for the last time this 2023/24 season as the final week of the Premier League season winds down. Of course, the international compilation European Championships will keep football-starved fans busy throughout the summer, however, the frenetic and exciting domestic season will still be missed. Liverpool and Aston Villa will both be pleased with their overall seasons, although ambitious not-so-long spells have been predictable over the past few weeks as each storied English club has succumbed to fatigue. This meeting is very close to a dead rubber, with each destined to maintain their current positions in the final standings.

Team news and recent form

In terms of availability, former Reds transfer target Boubacar Kamara, Emiliano Buendia, Tyrone Mings and Jacob Ramsey are all out, while Youri Tielemans and Nicolo Zaniolo are both battling to be fit enough to make the matchday squad the match. In terms of recent form, the Midlands side crashed out of the Europa Conference League at the semi-final stage after a humiliating 6-2 aggregate loss to Greek side Olympiacos. A 1-0 defeat away to Brighton was sandwiched between the two legs, after a 2-2 draw with Chelsea at home followed a routine 3-1 win against Bournemouth. After 36 games played, Unai Emery’s superb side have collected a total of 67 points and sit in a super fourth place, with the Spanish manager certainly making a strong case for manager of the year.

Aston Villa Predicted Line-up

A predicted formation for the home team is listed below, in a 3-4-3 formation.

GK – Emiliano Martínez
RWB – Matty Cash
RCB – Ezri Konsa
CB – Clément Lenglet
LCB – Pau Torres
LWB – Lucas Digne
CM – Douglas Luiz
CM – John McGinn
RW – Leon Bailey
CF – Ollie Watkins
LW – John Durán

Liverpool squad health and predictions

On the injury front, Thiago Alcântara is the injured absentee who will never play for Liverpool again, while Joël Matip suffered a season-ending ACL injury, one that will also see him leave at the end of this season. Diogo Joga is a late fitness option that may not be risked at this insignificant stage.

In terms of recent form, a superb 4-2 home win against visiting Tottenham followed a 2-2 away draw with West Ham, which followed a 2-0 defeat against Everton. The dropped points came after a strong 1-3 win at Fulham, one that followed a 0-1 win at Atalanta. After 36 games played, Liverpool have amassed a total of 78 points and sit 3rd in the table, with the final league position now guaranteed.

Liverpool’s predicted line-up at Villa Park

Below is the team I think the German Reds manager will start at Villa Park, which should be unchanged from the one that tore Spurs apart.

GK – Alisson Becker
RB – Trent Alexander Arnold
RCB – Jarell Quansah
LCB – Virgil van Dijk (c)
LB – Andy Robertson
RCM – Harvey Elliott
CDM – Waturu Endō
LCM – Alexis McAllister
RF – Mohamed Salah
CF – Cody Gakpo
LF – Luis Díaz

Match prospects and expectations

I don’t see how the hosts will not have endured a European hangover, having returned from Greece on Friday after being eliminated from the tournament. Liverpool are a team about to inherit a new head coach, Arne Slot, so the need to impress and work his way into the Dutchman’s line is now fully underway.