Kick-off: 1500, 10/04/2021
Stadium: Anfield
TV: Sky Sports
Liverpool can ill-afford to dwell on their Champions League loss to Real Madrid when entertaining Aston Villa in the Premier League.
The Reds have work to do if they are to qualify for Europe’s elite club competition again next season, heading into this game in seventh place in the table.
Their recent domestic efforts have been encouraging, though, so Evens for a home win and over 2.5 goals is our first Liverpool vs Aston Villa prediction.
A Look At Liverpool’s Betting Odds
Liverpool were made to pay for some sloppy defending when going down 3-1 to Real in Spain on Tuesday night, with only Mohamed Salah’s consolation goal giving them hope of advancing.
However, convincing victories over Wolves and Arsenal either side of the international break, plus other results going their way, have put the top four back within reach.
Jurgen Klopp insisted there is no scope for prioritising competitions, stating: “We cannot be picky with that, we have to go for everything.
“It’s not like we can now make the decision after that game there is no chance for us in the Champions League any more.
“In the Premier League, we cannot change it every week – we have to fight until the end and we will.
“Now we have to recover first and then concentrate on Aston Villa, which is for us a very important game, not only because of the results we had recently or in this season against them.”
These sides have certainly been involved in some interesting encounters since Villa returned to the top flight.
This term, the Reds were infamously thrashed 7-2 at Villa Park in October, but returned there in January for a 4-1 FA Cup triumph.
Looking at this weekend’s Liverpool vs Aston Villa odds, there is plenty of appeal in 9/5 for a home win and both teams to score, along with 10/1 for a 3-1 result.
Last Liverpool line-up: Alisson, Kabak, Robertson, Phillips, Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Keita, Jota, Mane, Salah.
Jordan Henderson and defensive trio Joe Gomez, Joel Matip and Virgil Van Dijk remain sidelined.
A Look At Aston Villa’s Betting Odds
Villa’s hopes of securing a surprise spot in the leading quartet have faded due to some indifferent form since a bright start to the campaign.
However, last Sunday’s 3-1 victory over Fulham at least kept them in the hunt for European football next term.
Substitute Trezeguet changed the whole complexion of that contest, scoring his first two goals of the season in the space of three second-half minutes.
Ollie Watkins was also on target in a late flourish, as Villa recovered from Aleksandar Mitrovic’s 61st-minute opener.
“It was certainly a very good last 20 minutes or so,” said Dean Smith, who was without captain Jack Grealish for a seventh Premier League game.
“Sometimes you need players to make an impact from the bench and the three who came on certainly did that and lifted our performance. The subs changed the game for us.
“Trezeguet came on and did what I asked of him – made an impact. He has been a little unfortunate at times this season and I am really pleased for him.”
Villa’s form prior to the international break was moderate, though, picking up just two points from four fixtures in March.
Sadio Mane has netted four times in his three appearances against the Midlands outfit, so 9/2 for him to break the deadlock is added to our Liverpool vs Aston Villa betting tips.
Last Villa line-up: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett, Luiz, McGinn, El Ghazi, Sanson, Watkins, Traore.
Jack Grealish is out for Villa again as he continues to battle a shin problem. Kortney Hause is back after a foot injury while Wesley is closing in on a return following 15 months out with a serious knee issue.
Additional stats
Last result:
Real Madrid 3-1 LIVERPOOL – Mohamed Salah
ASTON VILLA 3-1 Fulham – Trezeguet (2), Ollie Watkins
Head-to-head: Aston Villa 1-4 Liverpool, Aston Villa 7-2 Liverpool, Liverpool 2-0 Aston Villa, Aston Villa 5-0 Liverpool, Aston Villa 1-2 Liverpool
Join bwin today and receive up to £20 money back as a FreeBet if your first wager (3+ selections at odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater) is a loser! Terms and conditions apply.
