Aston Villa vs Liverpool LIVE: Premier League updates, latest team news, TV, prediction

Aston Villa vs Liverpool LIVE: Premier League updates, latest team news, TV, prediction

Victory would give Arne Slot’s side ten-point advantage over Arsenal in the title race

Liverpool have the chance to go ten points clear at the top of the Premier League as they travel to face Aston Villa tonight. This fixture has been brought forward due to Liverpool’s participation in the Carabao Cup next month and it presents the opportunity for the Reds to pile the pressure on Arsenal.

Arne Slot’s side were not entirely convincing in edging past Wolves on Sunday, with that result coming after they were held to a draw by Everton. Dropped points here and there could be questions over whether Liverpool are starting to falter, particularly ahead of a crucial trop to Manchester City this weekend.

Villa were frustrated over the weekend by 10-man Ipswich, as Ollie Watkins equalised but the hosts were then unable to go on and find a winner. Unai Emery’s side have though been largely superb on home soil this season, losing only to Arsenal and Crystal Palace, and they are on a 12-match unbeaten run in all competitions at Villa Park. Follow all the action with Standard Sport’s LIVE blog below!

Aston Villa vs Liverpool latest news

Kick-off: 7:30pm GMT | Villa P

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Last time at Villa Park

Clashes between these two sides usually serve up goals at Villa Park.

Who can forget the 7-2 win for the hosts at the start of the 2020/21 season?

In the corresponding meeting last season the teams shared six goals as Villa fought back from 3-1 down to earn a crucial point towards their Champions League qualification campaign.

Marcus Rashford stat

Marcus Rashford could make his full debut for Aston Villa tonight following two substitute appearances against Tottenham and Ipswich.

Villa Park is Rashford’s new home, well at least until the end of the season, and this could be bad news for Liverpool.

Rashford scored five goals in eight home Premier League appearances against Liverpool for Manchester United – his most home goals against any side in the competition.

Will he improve on this record later today?

Andy Robertson issues title run-in warning

Andy Robertson has experienced several Premier League title challenges across his Anfield career and he’s warned Liverpool supporters that things will not be straightforward in the run-in.

“It’s never straightforward. I think we’ve learned that over the years and there’s always bumps and there’s always twists and turns, and I think that’s always how it is when you get to the end of the season no matter where you’ve finished,” he said.

“There’s always been a kind of rollercoaster element to it and I think it’s part and parcel of it, it’s what the fans enjoy, they enjoy the rollercoaster [because] it makes the highs a lot more special and obviously the fans’ support has been unbelievable for us up to now.

“Like I’ve said, we never take it for granted: every away end being sold out, how many games we’ve got, and every time we come home the stadium is full and they really get behind us.

“OK, there might be nervy moments and there might be bad moments but hopefully we can all be happy at the end of the season.

“But it’s up to us to try to achieve that and we can achieve it all together by pushing in the same direction, by supporting each other, and I believe we have done that really well up to now and we’re going to do that up to the end of the season.”

Liverpool have the opportunity to send out a statement to Arsenal in this season’s Premier League title race.

Victory over Aston Villa will open up a 10-point lead at the top of the table and really pile the pressure on the Gunners. Though, Liverpool’s second half showing against Wolves does raise a few questions.

With another huge game on the horizon away at Manchester City, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Reds drop points tonight especially as Villa are very strong at home.

Unai Emery welcomes positives of busy schedule

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery says his side’s congested fixture list shows they are making progress.

Villa are in the midst of five games in 14 days as Liverpool visit Villa Park in a rearranged Premier League match which left Emery incensed.

The game was originally set to be played in March but was brought forward because Liverpool are through to the Carabao Cup final.

Villa then play Chelsea on Saturday night, Crystal Palace next Tuesday and Cardiff in the FA Cup on February 28 before heading into the Champions League the following week.

Emery has a host of injury problems to contend with, but he says it is par for the course when a team is competing on three fronts.

“We are going to prepare each match with good food, good rest, sleep well and play each match with the players who feel as little as possible in everything,” the Spaniard said.

“I have to be demanding in myself to use and choose the players for each match to get our structure strong and try to protect some players in case they have a small pain or are getting tired.

“We will play tomorrow and focus on that, hopefully we can play with full energy and 100 per cent.

“Liverpool played on Sunday and have been playing lots of matches for a long time.

“We have to understand our next step playing a lot of matches in a row, we have to be intelligent, choosing the best moment for the players and get important players off the bench because we will need players trying to help us and tomorrow is the same.