Liverpool can go 10 points clear at the top of the Premier League table by Wednesday night if they defeat Aston Villa. With Arsenal not playing until the weekend, Arne Slot’s side have a golden opportunity to tighten their grip on the title race.
Fresh from a hard-fought 2-1 win over Wolves, Liverpool know every point is crucial as the season nears its climax. Villa, on the other hand, were left frustrated by a 1-1 draw with Ipswich and will be determined to respond. With both teams hungry for a result, a fierce contest awaits at Villa Park.
Match Preview: Aston Villa vs Liverpool
Liverpool’s second-half display against Wolves was far from convincing. They failed to register a single shot on target but showed resilience to hold on for a crucial win.
Luis Díaz’s unconventional goal and Mohamed Salah’s penalty were enough to secure the three points, though Matheus Cunha’s stunning strike ensured a nervy finish. The Reds’ away form has been inconsistent, with just two wins in their last seven games across all competitions, but they remain unbeaten on the road in the Premier League this season.
Aston Villa, on the other hand, have struggled to capitalize on their opportunities. Despite dominating possession against a 10-man Ipswich side, they were held to a draw, with Liam Delap’s goal against the run of play and Ollie Watkins’ equalizer highlighting their inefficiency in front of goal.
Defensive frailties continue to haunt Unai Emery’s side, as they have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last eight home games. Their record against Liverpool is also a concern, with the Reds unbeaten in their last nine meetings since the infamous 7-2 defeat in 2020.
Team News: Aston Villa vs Liverpool
Liverpool will be without Cody Gakpo for the second consecutive match as the Dutch forward continues to recover from the knock he sustained in last week’s Merseyside derby.
Joe Gomez is also ruled out with a hamstring injury, with manager Arne Slot confirming the defender will be sidelined for “numerous weeks.” Tyler Morton (shoulder) is the only other absentee for the Reds, while Curtis Jones returns from a one-game suspension and is available for selection.
Gakpo’s absence in the 2-1 win over Wolves saw Diogo Jota make his first Premier League start since October, playing over an hour as the central forward. The Dutch manager hinted that Jota will play a significant role in the upcoming fixtures but is unlikely to feature for the full 90 minutes in all three games. Defenders Conor Bradley and Jarell Quansah are both one appearance away from reaching 50 games for the club.
For Aston Villa, Boubacar Kamara joins Ross Barkley, Amadou Onana, and Pau Torres on the injury list after picking up a hamstring issue in the 1-1 draw with Ipswich. Leon Bailey, Matty Cash, and Ezri Konsa remain doubts, with Unai Emery stating that all three are close to returning but will be assessed ahead of the match.
Emery acknowledged the challenge of facing Liverpool, calling them “the best team in the Premier League and in Europe,” while emphasizing the need for his side to respond with confidence and quality.
Key Stats
- Liverpool are the only Premier League team yet to lose away this season (13 games: 9 wins, 4 draws).
- Arne Slot has the longest unbeaten away start by a manager in Premier League history (13 games).
- Mohamed Salah needs one goal to set a new Liverpool record for most away goals in a single Premier League season (currently 14).
- The last 7 league meetings at Villa Park have produced 33 goals (4.7 per game).
- Villa have won just 1 of their last 14 league games against Liverpool (drawn 2, lost 11).
- Luis Díaz has matched last season’s goal tally (13) and set a new personal best for Premier League goals in a season (9).
- Unai Emery has won just 1 of his 12 meetings with Liverpool in all competitions (8% win rate).
- Liverpool have won 34 Premier League games against Villa – only West Ham (36) and Newcastle (35) have been beaten more.
- Villa have kept no clean sheets in their last 8 home games.
- Liverpool have 30 wins in 40 games this season – the most in Europe’s top five leagues.
