Aston Villa vs Liverpool: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head

The Premier League returns on Boxing Day after the World Cup break.

This year’s Boxing day marks the recommencement of the Premier League season, which was brought to a halt for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, and on the very first matchday, we have a fixture to look out for, as Aston Villa host Liverpool in the Villa Park for an exhilarating fixture.

Aston Villa currently sits 12th on the table, after two impressive wins against Man United and Brighton respectively. Unai Emery has started his managerial career in Aston Villa really well and will look to continue this brilliant form, as they now face a really tough opposition in the looks of Liverpool.

As for Jurgen Klopp’s men, this season has been nothing short of a disaster so far. A very poor start to the season left them vulnerable in the bottom half of the table. But, Jurgen Klopp’s men have been able to pick themselves up and have shown grit and determination and are currently placed 6th.

Kick-off: 11:00 pm (IST), 5:30 pm: (GMT)

Aston Villa form (all competition): L-W-L-W-L-W

Liverpool form (all competition): W-L-W-W-W-W

Player to watch

Aston Villa

Ezri Konsa

The English defender has been impressive this season along with Mings in managing the back line for Aston Villa. Konsa is also exceptional in winning ground duels, and will surely be an important inclusion to the team as Liverpool usually sought to attack through their quick passing and movement.

Liverpool

Mohamed Salah

The Egyptian linchpin is once again ready to be in on the action, after missing out on the World Cup. Salah has had a lot of time to recover and practice on his weaknesses, while club football was on a halt and he will surely show his dominance on the pitch and will try to make a difference. 

Match facts

• Mohamed Salah is only one goal away from equalling Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish’s tally, despite playing 239 games less.
• Injury problems keep mounting for Jurgen Klopp, as some key players are missing the game.
• Unai Emery has a perfect record with Aston Villa so far in the Premier League, with two wins in his first two games.

Injury and team news

Aston Villa’s first-choice goalkeeper Martinez is unavailable for this game, as he still celebrates his world cup win with Argentina. Diego Carlos remains sidelined with an Achilles’ tendon rupture, whereas Phillipe Coutinho and Jacob Ramsey are some major doubts.

As for Liverpool, attackers Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota are injured and unavailable for this game. Konate is also expected to miss the game, as he hasn’t had enough time, to recover after the World Cup campaign. Curtis Jones is a doubt for this game.

Head-to-Head stats

Matches: 31

Aston Villa: 7

Draws: 4

Liverpool: 20

Predicted lineup

Aston Villa predicted lineup (4-2-2):

Olsen, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne, Douglas Luiz, Dendoncker, Buendia, Mcginn, Watkins, Bailey

Liverpool predicted lineup (4-3-3): 

Allison, Trent, Matip, Van Djik, Robertson, Henderson, Fabinho, Alcantara, Carvalho, Nunez, Salah

Prediction

The game will be exciting and Aston Villa will do well and play some good football under their new manager, but Klopp will get his tactics right this time around and his team will deliver and mark their return to the Premier League.

Liverpool would convincingly defeat Aston Villa.

Prediction: Aston Villa 1 – Liverpool 3