Liverpool vs Aston Villa Preview

Bayern Munich got the win as expected vs Barcelona but unfortunately, Lewandowski fired blanks. We are back in action in the Premier League this weekend and the spotlight is on Anfield for Liverpool vs Aston Villa. The hosts are in scintillating form and they are hot favourites at 1/4. Steven Gerrard’s Villains are also in good shape but they have been completely written off at odds of 12/1. The draw is available to back at 31/5 on the machine.

Liverpool

Earlier this season, Liverpool were winning despite looking vulnerable defensively. In recent weeks, they have continued scoring freely but they have been much more solid at the back. Klopp’s side have won six on the bounce since losing 3-2 at West Ham. Four of those wins came in the Premier League and in three of them, they scored four goals. Last time at Wolves they needed a last minute Origi winner to secure a 1-0 win and they now sit 2nd in the table, just a point behind Man City.

Liverpool were in action in Milan in midweek and despite a number of changes, they still won 2-1. Klopp was able to rest Henderson, Thiago and Fabinho and they will likely return to the fold on Saturday. The back four was also completely rotated and Robertson, Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk and Matip are all probable starters vs Villa. Jota is a slight doubt for tomorrow so Origi may well keep his place up top alongside Salah and Mane.

So how come Liverpool have stopped conceding so many chances? The main reason is the availability of their first choice midfielders. Thiago, Fabinho and Henderson have made a big impact since returning from injury and opposition teams haven’t had the time or space to hit the accurate balls over the top that can exploit Liverpool’s high line. At the other end, Salah continues in sensational form and if he keeps scoring at his current rate, The Reds will be extremely difficult to stop.

Aston Villa

The big story surrounding this match is the return of Steven Gerrard to Liverpool. Since he took the reins from Dean Smith, he has turned Villa’s fortunes around. Their only defeat in four games was a 2-1 reversal vs Man City. The other three fixtures resulted in victories over Brighton (2-0), Palace (2-1) and Leicester (2-1). They had previously lost five in a row, a run of results that cost Dean Smith his job. Now they sit in 10th with 19 points and they will be looking ahead rather than back over their shoulders.

Ezri Konsa was the unlikely hero against Leicester, scoring twice. Ollie Watkins has contributed two goals during Gerrard’s short reign and he is a player Liverpool will be keeping a close eye on. He fired home a hat-trick in Villa’s famous 7-2 win against The Reds at Villa Park last season and he also scored their only goal in the 2-1 defeat at Anfield back in April.

One of Villa’s biggest issues this season has been their inability to keep clean sheets. They have only failed to score twice this season yet they have still managed to lose eight of their fifteen matches. A clean sheet vs Brighton in Gerrard’s first game looks a bit of a false dawn now as they have conceded four in their last three. If they could keep a clean sheet at Anfield, they’d fancy their chances of getting a win. However, that looks an unlikely scenario against an attack that has scored 44 goals in 15 Premier League games.

Liverpool vs Aston Villa Possible Lineups

Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Matip, Robertson, Thiago, Fabinho, Henderson, Mane, Origi, Salah.

Aston Villa: Martinez, Targett, Mings, Konsa, Cash, Luiz, Nakamba, McGinn, Buendia, Ramsey/Ings, Watkins.

Liverpool vs Aston Villa Betting Tip

I have opposed Liverpool a couple of times this season and I have ended up with egg on my face. I do think that 12/1 about Aston Villa looks absolutely massive but given the form of the hosts, it is hard to justify betting against them. Last season Villa spanked Liverpool at Villa Park and they were seconds away from a draw in the return fixture at Anfield. The Reds are a different team now though and they are by far the most likely winners.

Odds of 1/4 about Liverpool winning make zero appeal and if you are looking for a bet at bigger odds, it could be worth looking at the anytime scorer market. Ollie Watkins has been a thorn in Liverpool’s side recently and he scored four in two games against them last term. He comes into the match having scored 2 in his last four EPL matches and if Villa are going to score, his pace is a weapon that they will look to utilise. Ollie Watkins to score at anytime at odds of 19/5 is the recommended bet.

Liverpool vs Aston Villa Betting Tips: Ollie Watkins to score anytime @ 19/5

-DaveStevos