Aston Villa take on Liverpool in the Premier League on Friday evening, with kick-off set for 8:00pm at Villa Park. Only goal difference separates these two teams in the table, with Arne Slot’s men sitting fourth and Unai Emery’s men in fifth. Find our match preview and best bets below.
Best bets & predictions
| Our Prediction | Odds & Bookmaker | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watkins and Szoboszlai 0.5 fouls committed | 11/10 @ Bet365 (47.6%) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | With a potential Champions League place on the line, there is plenty for both teams to play for and we should see a high-foul count on Friday. At 11/10, both Ollie Watkins and Dominik Szoboszlai to clear the Over 0.5 fouls line looks a solid proposition. The Aston Villa forward has given away at least one foul in 10 of his last 11 appearances, while Szoboszlai has committed at least one foul in all of his last nine outings for Liverpool. |
| Watkins to score and van Dijk Over 0.5 Shots on Target | 6/1 @ Bet365 (14.3%) | ⭐⭐⭐ | For those looking for something at a bit bigger price, I wouldn’t put anyone off backing Ollie Watkins and Virgil van Dijk to record a shot on target. The former has hit form at the right time for Villa and potentially England, scoring in seven of his last 11 starts across all competitions, bagging a brace in two of those. Meanwhile, van Dijk is always a threat at set-pieces. He has scored in three of his last seven top-flight away matches. When it comes to hitting the target, he has done so at least once in six of his last seven on the road. Find the double at around 6/1 with bet365. |
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How both teams go into Aston Villa vs Liverpool
Aston Villa may already have one eye on their Europa League final showdown with Freiburg in Istanbul next week, but Unai Emery’s side still have major business to take care of in the Premier League. Victory over Liverpool would secure a top-five finish and guarantee Champions League football next season, removing any pressure from the continental final.
Liverpool’s recent form looks solid on paper, with the Reds collecting 10 points from their previous five league outings, but their performance in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea left plenty to be desired. Away from Anfield, Slot’s men have not always convinced either, taking just 1.33 points per game on average this season. Aston Villa, meanwhile, have been far stronger on home soil, where Emery’s side are averaging close to two points per match at Villa Park.
Aston Villa team news
Boubacar Kamara is expected to miss the rest of the season with a serious knee injury. Amadou Onana is also unavailable after missing the recent defeat to Fulham with a calf issue.
Liverpool team news
Liverpool remain without long-term absentees Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike and Giovanni Leoni, while Wataru Endo is also unlikely to return before the final weeks of the season as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury. Ibrahima Konate, Alisson Becker and Mo Salah are all being assessed ahead of kick-off, although Florian Wirtz returned to training after illness and could be available. Jayden Danns, meanwhile, is still building fitness with the Under-21s and is not expected to feature.
Aston Villa vs Liverpool Odds
Head-to-Head: Last 6 Meetings
| Date | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| 09/11/24 | Liverpool 2-0 Aston Villa | Premier League |
| 19/02/25 | Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool | Premier League |
| 13/05/24 | Aston Villa 3-3 Liverpool | Premier League |
| 03/09/23 | Liverpool 3-0 Aston Villa | Premier League |
| 20/05/23 | Liverpool 1-1 Aston Villa | Premier League |
| 26/12/22 | Aston Villa 1-3 Liverpool | Premier League |
Conclusion
With Champions League qualification on the line for both teams, there is plenty to play for here and we expect a lively affair. After both teams failed to win last weekend, we’ve opted for two bets, with the first being both Watkins and Szoboszlai to give away a foul at 11/10. For those looking for longer odds, take the 6/1 for Watkins to score and van Dijk to have a shot on target.
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