Liverpool vs Aston Villa
The final international break of the calendar year is on the horizon but first a Premier League contest with could crackle.
League leaders Liverpool are in superb form at home and abroad and have only tasted defeat once to date.
Aston Villa were also on a fine run, albeit one that has tailored off in the past fortnight.
Yet as the most improved side in English football over the past two years, you would not write off the Villans from creating Premier League highlights on Saturday teatime.
Talking Points
The club’s progress in just 24 months under Unai Emery was further highlighted again this week when it was announced it had signed a two year partnership with the Adidas elite club.
It was proof that the Midlanders, always one of England’s sleeping giants, are going places on and off the pitch.
The financial benefits of the deal, which will come into effect from next season, should potentially help the club stay competitive in the transfer market in the era of PSR (profit and sustainability rules) and Financial Fair Play.
What a difference two years and two weeks has made since Emery replaced Steven Gerrard with the club in freefall and on the verge of the relegation spots.
Villa are hoping to return to winning ways after defeats by Crystal Palace in the League Cup (albeit a game when many first-teamers were rested), Spurs in the Premier League and then Club Brugge in the Champions League in midweek – a contest they lost due to a bizarre goal which has been attributed to a Tyrone Mings ‘brain freeze’.
It was a decision Emery described as one of the most unusual he had ever seen throughout his career.
It certainly angered section of Villa supporters and, if technically correct, it is the inconsistency which so infuriates.
Last season in the same competition during a quarter-final tie between Bayern Munich and Arsenal, referee Glenn Nyberg decided not to punish centre back Gabriel for a similar mistake after he picked the ball up from an Arsenal goal-kick.
Villa’s European outing contrased significantly with their hosts who blew away German champions Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday night when the Merseysiders romped to a 4-0 win with an intensity that few sides outside of England can match.
Their squad depth outshines that of their title rivals, champions Manchester City and Arsenal (who are just about clinging on), although they are not without absentees with goalkeeper Alisson (thigh), forward Diogo Jota (abdominal) and youngster Harvey Elliott (foot) all missing.
Villa were missing Matty Cash (calf) and ex-Everton starlet Ross Barkley (unspecified) for the trip to Belgium in midweek, and Emery is not expecting to have either of them back for the trip to Anfield.
Do expect Mings to revert to the substitutes’ bench though, rather than not risk starting him twice in the space of a few days after his ACL injury.
That would open the door for regular performer Pau Torres to slot into the back four, while Amadou Onana and Jacob Ramsey are also primed to return ahead of Boubacar Kamara and Leon Bailey.
History
Who could forget their meeting in May when Jhon Duran became an instant hero and sparked a series of puns relating to the famous British pop group Duran Duran.
A six goal thriller seemed to be heading the way of the visitors who led 3-1 with five minutes remaining, thanks to an own goal, Cody Gakpo and young defender Jarell Quansah.
In his penultimate game in charge, Jurgen Klopp seemed a happy man.
Villa have beaten Liverpool on 59 occasions since their very first meeting in 1894. Liverpool have won 102 times, while 42 of the meetings have ended all square.
That also includes the Merseysiders winning 33 of the 57 top-flight meetings with Villa, including this corresponding fixture last season when Dominik Szoboszlai and Mohamed Salah found the net for the hosts (there was also an own goal) without reply.
In fact, they have only lost one of their last 12 clashes.
However, what a contest it was as Villa hit seven to humble the then defending champions at Villa Park in 2020.
Betting Tip
The SBOTOP Premier League betting odds make last season’s third place side clear favourites over last term’s fourth place outfit.
Liverpool can be backed 1X2 @ 1.44 or Asian Handicap -1.50 @ 2.31.
Villa are on offer 1X2 @ 5.50 and Asian Handicap +1.00 @ 2.16.
A re-run of last season’s surprisingly one-sided encounter will earn a pay day of @ 11.50 with Correct Score 3-0, while a repeat of their 1-1 draw from 18 months ago is available @ 9.00.
For two teams with genuine attacking threats, you can get attractive odds on Total Goals 4-6 @ 2.36 and 2-3 @ 2.15, while a low (or no) scoring encounter is on offer @ 4.37 with Total Goal 0-1.
The draw @ 4.41 makes very favourable odds indeed.
It may well be a draw and I think there will be a few goals too, so my *** tip is Total Goals 2-3 @ 2.15.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT))
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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