Liverpool vs Aston Villa
As the excitement of Premier League transfer deadline day subsides, here is a game which could set pulses racing again.
Two sides who have been active in the market this summer as they look to improve in the new campaign.
For Liverpool, a new-look midfield is what manager Jurgen Klopp hopes can take them higher than last season’s disappointing fifth place finish.
For Aston Villa, their rapid climb from relegation strugglers to sealing a European berth has been inspired by Unai Emery who only took over at the Midlanders last November and now has his eyes on going even higher.
With these two at the helm, one suspects this could be an open and attacking contest ripe for Premier League highlights.
Talking Points
On Friday night, the Merseysiders snapped up midfielder Ryan Gravenberch from Bayern Munich in a deal worth more than £34 million.
Yet the Dutch international, who has joined the club on a five-year contract, will not be available for this meeting, nor will captain and fellow Dutchman Virgil van Dijk.
He was sent-off during last Sunday’s dramatic 2-1 win at Newcastle and his subsequent reaction, initially refusing to leave the field, means the one match suspension could yet be extended.
The home team should otherwise be at full strength and it seems that their late goal hero in that game, Uruguayan Darwin Nunez, will be handed a starting berth.
This will be Klopp’s 300th Premier League game – he is the 17th manager to reach that landmark.
In Emery, Villa have a man who has transformed the club’s fortunes since succeeding the out of his depth Steven Gerrard and has taken them from relegation candidates to Europe in just over six months.
Emery’s first seven Premier League games brought five wins but they then suffered three defeats in a row, against Leicester, Manchester City and Arsenal, conceding 11 goals.
The sense was of a bubble bursting, of the new manager bounce wearing off. Notably, of those 11 goals conceded six stemmed from transitions (two also involving individual errors).
But Emery was able to adapt. He spoke of “changing the focus” and “becoming the protagonist”. Villa sought to control possession more and the press was reset.
They are now a team capable of causing problems for any other opponent and they cruised past Hibernian at Villa Park on Thursday night to book their place in the Europa Conference League group stage.
Sealing their spot was little more than a formality for Villa, who led 5-0 on aggregate from the first leg.
Jhon Duran set the tone for an easy night for the hosts with a 12th-minute opener.
Leon Bailey and Matty Cash extended the advantage as Emery was able to make six changes from the team who won 4-0 against Everton and inflicted second-half damage with the introduction of goalscorer Cash, Diego Carlos, John McGinn and Ollie Watkins.
One of his summer recruits, Moussa Diaby, will start at Anfield and is bidding to become the first player to score in each of Villa’s opening three away matches of a top-flight season since David Platt in 1990-91.
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has returned to training after a calf injury and will be assessed ahead of the game.
There’ll certainly be plenty of talent on show between two in-form teams when they meet before the first international break of the new campaign.
History
Villa have beaten Liverpool on 59 occasions since their very first meeting in 1894. Liverpool have won 101 times, while 41 of the meetings have ended all square.
That also includes the Merseysiders winning 32 of the 56 top-flight meetings with Villa.
In fact, they have only lost one of their last 10 clashes.
However, what a contest it was as they hit seven to humble the then defending champions at Villa Park.
Last term saw Liverpool win 3-1 at Villa Park on Boxing Day with goals from Mohamed Salah, van Dijk and Stefan Bajcetic.
Watkins replied for the home side.
Yet it took a late Roberto Firmino equaliser to prevent Villa from winning at Anfield in May after they had taken the lead through Jacob Ramsey.
It was a result which all but ended Liverpool’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.
Betting Tip
The home team are clear favourites with the SBOTOP Premier League betting odds.
They can be backed 1X2 @ 1.65 and Asian Handicap -1.00 @ 2.16.
That is in contrast to Villa who are priced 1X2 @ 4.20 and Asian Handicap +0.50 @ 2.33.
The draw is available @ 3.95 and a repeat of the corresponding fixture last term – Correct Score 1-1 – is on offer @ 8.00.
Goal options include over 3.50 @ 2.21, total goal 0-1 @ 5.80, 4-6 @ 2.43 and my tip 2-3 @ 2.24.
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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