journey to for a midweek conflict understanding {that a} week would lengthen their lead within the title race to 10 factors.
’s aspect enter an important week with a seven-point lead over Arsenal in second place, however at Manchester Metropolis on Sunday and at residence to Newcastle United subsequent week. Nonetheless, the Reds – who held out for a nervy 2-1 win over a resolute Wolves aspect on Sunday – will know that might be an enormous step in direction of the title in Slot’s first season in cost.
’s males, in the meantime, are chasing the European spots. Villa are already by the last-16 of the this season and can wish to assure one other marketing campaign subsequent 12 months. They’re ninth within the Premier League and might leap as much as seventh with a win at Villa Park.
Observe all of the Premier League motion with our reside weblog under:
Aston Villa vs Liverpool LIVE
Aston Villa host Liverpool within the Premier League with kick off at 7.30pm
Villa looking for to get again to successful methods after 1-1 draw with Ipswich
Reds can lengthen Premier League result in 10 factors with victory
Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Garcia, Disasi, Mings, Digne, Asensio, Tielemans, McGinn, Rashford, Rogers; Watkins.
Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Jones, Szoboszlai, Jota, Salah
Liverpool make one change as Curtis Jones replaces Luis Diaz in line-up
Marcus Rashford makes first Aston Villa begin, alongisde Marco Asensio
Aston Villa FC – Liverpool FC
Liverpool staff information – no Luis Diaz or Darwin Nunez in XI
18:25 , Jamie Braidwood
An fascinating line-up from Liverpool, with Luis Diaz on the bench regardless of the damage to Cody Gakpo. Curtis Jones returns from suspension, however Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai all hold their locations from the weekend.
So who’s taking part in left wing? It’s trying like Szoboszlai, but it surely’s an fascinating change from Arne Slot, with Diaz and Darwin Nunez on the bench.
Aston Villa staff information – Marcus Rashford begins
18:23 , Jamie Braidwood
Marcus Rashford makes his first begin for Aston Villa following appearances off the bench towards Tottenham and Ipswich, with the on-loan Manchester United ahead lining up towards rivals Liverpool.
Former Actual Madrid ahead Marco Asensio additionally begins towards Liverpool, coming right into a midfield that features John McGinn and Youri Tielemans. Rashford joins Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers in an all-English assault.
Aston Villa vs Liverpool confirmed line-ups
18:19 , Jamie Braidwood
Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Garcia, Disasi, Mings, Digne, Asensio, Tielemans, McGinn, Rashford, Rogers; Watkins.
Subs: Olsen, Zych, Money, Bogarde, Maatsen, Malen, Ramsey; Jimoh-Aloba.
Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Jones, Szoboszlai, Jota, Salah
Subs: Kelleher, Endo, Díaz, Núñez, Chiesa, Elliott, Tsimikas, Quansah, Bradley.
Reminder of the early staff information
18:09 , Jamie Braidwood
We’ll have the line-ups from Villa Park within the subsequent jiffy, right here’s a reminder of the early staff information:
Unai Emery has another new damage concern, with Boubacar Kamara compelled off simply 16 minutes into the draw with Ipswich on the weekend. He’ll seemingly face a late health check.
Ezri Konsa is unlikely to be again in time to face Liverpool, whereas Pau Torres and Matty Money stay sidelined in defence and Amadou Onana remains to be a while away from a return. Ollie Watkins must be match to start out once more, whereas Leon Bailey might return to the squad.
Cody Gakpo won’t characteristic however is nearing a return after lacking the win over Wolves resulting from a knock, however Curtis Jones returns to the squad after serving his suspension. Joe Gomez and Tyler Morton stay sidelined.
Aston Villa’s Champions League push
18:00 , Jamie Braidwood
Tonight shouldn’t be solely an enormous sport for Liverpool however for Aston Villa as properly. Unai Emery’s aspect will uncover who they’ll face within the Champions League last-16 in Friday’s knockout stage draw, however they’ll wish to qualify for subsequent season’s competitors as properly.
Villa are winless of their final 4 Premier League video games, by, with Saturday’s 1-1 draw at residence to 10-man Ipswich leaving them ninth within the desk and nearer to the underside half than the top-four. Even when they beat Liverpool tonight, they’d solely go above Fulham into eighth, which exhibits the size of their problem.
In the meanwhile, Manchester Metropolis and Bournemouth occupy the ultimate Champions League spots (assuming it goes all the way down to fifth place). Villa are solely 5 factors behind the Cherries, however they’ve additionally obtained Chelsea – who they host on Saturday – and Newcastle of their approach.
The uncommon Arne Slot trait that might resolve Liverpool’s title cost
17:40 , Richard Jolly
The enterprise finish of a season isn’t at all times the purpose to parade your ideas. Arne Slot has attacking beliefs, however a passion for successful can override idealism. “Typically as a supervisor it’s important to be pragmatic as properly and perceive it’s possibly not our sport by way of soccer, [so] then we as a training workers should be able to make choices that assist the staff in these moments,” he rationalised.
The defining theme of Slot’s administration at Anfield has not been a 4-2-3-1 formation and even the similarities and variations with Jurgen Klopp’s ways. It has been glorious decision-making.
Arne Slot leaning on expertise of Liverpool’s title winners
17:10 , Jamie Braidwood
As Liverpool enter an important stage of the season, Arne Slot says he’ll lean on the expertise of gamers like Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson to guide the squad in direction of a second title in 5 years.
The final time Liverpool had a 10-point lead within the title race was once they received the Premier League in 2019-20, and whereas Slot had title successful expertise himself with Feyenoord he says he desires his Premier League champions to assist the staff in powerful moments.
“So those that received the league right here already that was in [Covid] with followers not being within the stadium and at a sure level they had been 25 factors up so you’ll be able to hardly discuss strain then,” Slot mentioned.
“Though I’m the kind of supervisor that if there are 10 video games to be performed and I am 25 factors up I nonetheless really feel like ‘oh, now we have to win’ however there was hardly any strain then.
“However we do lean on the gamers as a result of they’ve to point out up and convey the performances in however not within the method the place at this time or tomorrow they current a gathering on take care of the strain, that is not the way it works.”
Why was Aston Villa vs Liverpool rearranged?
16:40 , Jamie Braidwood
Aston Villa had been initially scheduled to host Liverpool within the early Saturday kick-off on 15 March, however that was rearranged after the Reds reached the Carabao Cup last (to be performed towards Newcastle on 16 March).
The rearranged sport means Villa play Liverpool tonight, Chelsea on Saturday evening, Crystal Palace subsequent Tuesday and Cardiff within the FA Cup on Friday February 28 earlier than heading into the Champions League the next week. That’s 5 video games in 14 days.
Liverpool, in the meantime, play Manchester Metropolis on Sunday, Newcastle subsequent Wednesday after which have the weekend off after being knocked out of the FA Cup, however they too may have Champions League soccer to organize for the next week.
Unai Emery says go to of Liverpool ‘most troublesome’ sport of the season
16:10 , Jamie Braidwood
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery mentioned his aspect’s rearranged fixture with Premier League leaders Liverpool is their “most troublesome match” they’ve left this season.
Emery’s staff have overwhelmed Bayern Munich and Manchester Metropolis at residence this season, whereas drawing with Juventus – however leaders Liverpool are unbeaten away from residence within the league.
“That is probably the most troublesome match we’ll play within the final weeks or months of the season,” Emery mentioned. “We’re excited with who we are going to face tomorrow. Liverpool are the very best staff within the Premier League and Europe.
“Our problem is how we face them and reply with our qualities and the way we play at this degree. We’re excited and hopefully we will share our excited moments with our followers at Villa Park.”
Arne Slot on Liverpool staff information
15:10 , Jamie Braidwood
Liverpool boss Arne Slot on Liverpool staff information and updates on Cody Gakpo and Joe Gomez:
“Each are unavailable. Cody is the nearer to being again however Joe will take fairly a very long time. He’s going to be out for various weeks due to a hamstring damage.
“It’s an enormous blow for Joe and for us. He tries to do all the things to be with the staff. He works actually arduous to come back again after which the primary sport when he got here again after two or three minutes we noticed him making a dash and now he’s out for weeks once more.
“In order that’s at all times very arduous for a participant in each a part of the season, not to mention part of the season everyone seems to be trying ahead to.”
What’s the staff information?
15:03 , Jamie Braidwood
Villa boss Unai Emery has another new damage concern, with Boubacar Kamara compelled off simply 16 minutes into the draw with Ipswich on the weekend. He’ll seemingly face a late health check.
Ezri Konsa is unlikely to be again in time to face Liverpool, whereas Pau Torres and Matty Money stay sidelined in defence and Amadou Onana remains to be a while away from a return. Ollie Watkins must be match to start out once more, whereas Leon Bailey might return to the squad.
Cody Gakpo won’t characteristic however is nearing a return after lacking the win over Wolves resulting from a knock, however Curtis Jones returns after serving his suspension. Joe Gomez and Tyler Morton stay sidelined.
When is Aston Villa vs Liverpool?
15:01 , Jamie Braidwood
The match kicks off at 7.30pm GMT on Wednesday, 19 February at Villa Park.
How can I watch the match?
The match will likely be proven reside within the UK on TNT Sports activities 2, with protection beginning at 6.30pm. Subscribers also can watch on-line by way of discovery+.
Good afternoon
15:00 , Jamie Braidwood
It’s an enormous night within the Premier League title race as Aston Villa host Liverpool, with the guests trying to go 10 factors clear on the prime of the Premier League.
With no different sides in motion in midweek, the Reds might take a 10-point lead into the weekend with simply 12 video games left to play, having squeezed previous Wolves of their final outing.
They usually face a Villa aspect who’ve been on a combined run of type in latest weeks, with the weekend’s draw towards 10-man Ipswich that means that the Villains are again in eighth, six factors behind the Champions League locations.
Unai Emery on Aston VIlla’s staff information
15:20 , Jamie Braidwood
“Kamara is out and Bailey near being with us once more, I do not know tomorrow, he is a doubt.
“Matty Money and (Ezri) Konsa are near being with us. Tomorrow morning I’ll resolve which gamers are prepared for tomorrow.”
