Premier League: It’s Christmas Time at Villa Park!

Aston Villa vs Liverpool

It’s welcome back to the Premier League on Boxing Day as two of the established big clubs in English football lock horns on one of the most traditional days in the English football calendar.

Aston Villa and Liverpool will meet in what should be a compelling teatime clash.

The key question for both teams is how will they fare after six weeks out of competitive action?

Talking Points

The Villains’ final home match of 2022 follows a roller-coaster period of 14 months for the club.

The decision to sack Dean Smith little over a year ago struck me as being harsh, especially after what he had done for the club and, despite some bright moments, they progressed no further during the tenure of Steven Gerrard, which lasted less than a year.

Enter Unai Emery who has left Villa fans enthused by what they have seen so far with the Spaniard masterminding back-to-back victories over Manchester United and, last time out, Brighton – their first away success of the season.

Their next aim, to create more Premier League highlights with the scalp of last season’s runners-up.

The promising run of form means they head into part two of the campaign with a sense of optimism and they now also boast a World Cup winner in their ranks after goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez played a starring role for Argentina at Qatar 2022.

Martinez has been criticised for some of his actions after Sunday’s final, which included a rude gesture with his Golden Glove award.

He also mocked France striker Kylian Mbappe and his club manager has said he will have a private chat with him upon his return.

The goalkeeper kept three clean sheets across his seven matches played, also making three penalty shootout saves in the wins over Holland and France.

If he is not back in time, Emery will have to call upon back-up keeper Robin Olsen.

The fact Emery only lost a handful of players to the World Cup can be seen as a positive and he will have his players well versed in his system and style of play after more than a month working with them on the training pitch.

Villa have been involved in four friendlies in recent weeks, while the Merseysiders have had two before returning to full combat in an exciting League Cup tie at Manchester City last night.

Liverpool did have more men at Qatar but some returned early or didn’t play too much, including last summer’s big-money signing Darwin Nunez, full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold and Brazilian midfielder Fabinho.

Club and country compatriot Roberto Firmino picked up a knock in training this week so it’s unknown if he’ll be included in this match as they look to build on their league win away last time out at Spurs, one of their best performances of the season.

He will join Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota on the sidelines, although with such a depth of attacking talent, their starting line-up should not be hindered too much.

The hosts will be without Diego Carlos, still missing with an Achilles injury, whereas Philippe Coutinho and Jacob Ramsey are doubtful – the former, of course, made his name at Anfield before moving to Barcelona in 2018.

History

Villa have beaten Liverpool on 59 occasions since their very first meeting in 1894. Liverpool have won 100 times, while 40 of the meetings have ended all square.

That also includes the Merseysiders winning 31 of the 54 top-flight meetings with Villa.

In fact, they have only lost one of their last eight clashes.

However, what a contest it was as they hit seven to humble the then defending champions at Villa Park.

Since then, Liverpool have won all three league games, including a league double last term.

A Mohamed Salah penalty separated the sides at Anfield in December before Joel Matip and Ssdio Mane scored the goals in a 2-1 win at Villa Park in May.

The hosts, then managed by former Liverpool favourite Gerrard, had taken an early lead through Douglas Luiz.

Betting Tip

The SBOTOP Premier League betting odds have no doubt who they are backing.

The away team are clear favourites 1X2 @ 1.72 and Asian Handicap -1.00 @ 2.28.

Villa, meanwhile, are priced out at 1X2 @ 4.30 and Asian Handicap +0.50 @ 2.25.

For a repeat of last season’s scoreline, Correct Score 1-2 will pay out @ 6.80.

Goal bets include over 3.25 @ 2.36, Total Goal 0-1 @ 4.40, 2-3 @ 2.00 and 4-6 @ 2.79.

The hosts have shown glimpses of what they are about since Unai Emery has taken over and that is why my *** bet, in front of a packed Villa Park, is 1X2 Draw @ 3.90.

 

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