Aston Villa will be hoping to stretch their unbeaten Premier League run to three games under Unai Emery as they take on Liverpool on December 26, 2022.
Liverpool already announced their return after the World Cup break with a defeat against Premier League rivals Manchester City at Etihad.
The Jurgen Klopp-led team suffered a 3-2 defeat, but they gave Manchester City an uphill task en route to victory before bowing out of the EFL Cup.
Former Arsenal boss Unai Emery will face a tough task against the Reds as he aims for his third successive Premier League win since taking over from former Aston Villa manager and Ex-Liverpool star Stephen Gerrard.
While Aston Villa crashed out of the Carabao Cup following a defeat to Manchester United, Jurgen Klopp has to be wary of the back-to-back Premier League wins against Manchester United and Brighton recorded by Unai Emery.
Unai Emery will make history as the first Aston Villa manager to secure three successive Premier League wins if he defeats Liverpool at Villa Park on December 26.
Meanwhile, Liverpool has not been lucky at Villa Park in the Premier League. In the last nine meetings between the two teams at Villa Park, Liverpool has won only two times.
During the World Cup break, Liverpool lost to French Ligue 1 side Lyon in a club friendly but won against AC Milan.
Jurgen Klopp knows what is at stake against the Lions. They are already 7 points adrift of the top four and have fallen off the title race, unlike last season, when they fought till the last day.
They have won only one Premier League away match this season ( a 2-1 victory over Tottenham), and a win against Aston Villa will be their second.
Nevertheless, Aston Villa have suffered defeats in their last four meetings with the Reds in all competitions. Throughout Premier League history, Liverpool has secured a record 15 Premier League wins at Villa Park.
Team News
Aston Villa goalkeeper, Emiliano Martínez, who has been making the headlines for his controversial celebrations after the World Cup victory, will not be available for the game.
He will possibly be replaced by Robin Olsen, with Aston Villa’s other goalkeepers – Diego Carlos and Jacob Ramsey ruled out due to injury.
Philippe Coutinho would have likely face his former club but he may not play after suffering a thigh injury.
Liverpool are also going to miss their World Cup star Ibrahima Konate, who will not return to training until December 27.
Virgil van Dijk, who crashed out of the World Cup in the quarterfinals, is expected to return to the team and spearhead the Reds’ defense.
Topping the Reds’ injury list is James Milner (hamstring), Roberto Firmino (calf), Curtis Jones, Arthur, Luis Diaz, and Diogo Jota. They are expected to miss the game.
However, Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to make a return to the team.
Other players who may likey start for the Reds are Allison Becker and Darwin Nunez.
Aston Villa Probable starting IX:
Olsen; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne; McGinn, Kamara, Luiz; Buendia, Ings, Bailey
Liverpool Probable starting IX:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago; Salah, Nunez, Carvalho
Prediction
Both teams possess and incredible attacking threats. Liverpool are expected to outgun the Lions in front of the home fans. Nevertheless, Unai Emery’s side will not give in without a fight. Liverpool will win 3-1.
