Overview
Aston Villa disappointed when Ipswich Town held them to a 1-1 draw in their most recent match. That was the 4th consecutive winless match of coach Unai Emery's team in the Premier League. They have dropped to 9th place and are further away from the top 4.
More broadly, Aston Villa have won just two of their last seven games in all competitions, while failing to keep a clean sheet in their last eight home games. Therefore, Aston Villa is expected to face many difficulties against Liverpool, the team leading the Premier League.
As for Liverpool, they are firmly consolidating their position at the top of the Premier League with a series of impressive performances. Coach Arne Slot's team has a 24-match unbeaten streak in the Premier League, including 15 wins. Aston Villa themselves were also one of the victims of The Kop with a 0-2 loss in the first leg.
Liverpool are not afraid to visit Aston Villa. The Kop is the team with the best away form in the tournament with 9 wins and 4 draws.
Not only that, Liverpool also have the strongest attack in the league with 60 goals, while Aston Villa has the worst defense in the top 10 with 38 goals conceded. With their high form, Liverpool is expected to easily win all 3 points.
Liverpool can be confident in their recent record against Aston Villa. The Kop have won 7 of the last 9 encounters between the two teams in all competitions.
However, Aston Villa drew 3-3 at home to Liverpool last season.
Personnel situation
Coach Emery is starting to have injury problems, with Boubacar Kamara the latest player to join the list.
On the other side of the front line, Cody Gakpo is still uncertain to play for Liverpool after being absent for the match against Wolves. However, Curtis Jones has returned after serving a 1-match suspension.
Expected lineup:
Aston Villa: Martinez, Garcia, Disasi, Mings, Digne, McGinn, Tielemans, Malen, Rogers, Rashford, Watkins.
Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Salah, Jones, Diaz, Nunez.
The match between Aston Villa and Liverpool takes place at 2:30 am on February 20 (Vietnam time).
