Aston Villa are back in Premier League action on Monday night as they host Liverpool at Villa Park. Here’s our predicted lineup for the fixture.
After the disappointment of losing in the Europa Conference League semi-final, Aston Villa fans were quickly reminded of what a fantastic season it’s been.
In his first full season in charge, Unai Emery has driven their ambitions of Champions League football and very nearly delivered them having put themselves in pole position for the top four.
Villa are currently seven points clear of Tottenham in fourth, who admittedly have a game in hand, but need to win all three matches and hope Emery’s side fail to win each of their last two.
The Villans could have a top-four finish secured before they take to the field against Liverpool if Burnley do them a favour and take points off Spurs.
Aston Villa team news ahead of Liverpool
The challenge ahead of Villa is daunting, but having taken maximum points from Arsenal and Manchester City at Villa Park, there is every reason to believe they can secure a victory over Jurgen Klopp’s men.
In their hopes of beating the Reds in Klopp’s final away game in charge, Emery delivered some positive news on the injury front after Olympiacos.
Nicolo Zaniolo, Alex Moreno and Youri Tielemans all missed out in Greece due to minor injuries, but the Spaniard’s latest update suggests they could be fit to play on Monday.
Morgan Rogers was also absent for the semi-final after coming off against Brighton, but his availability will depend on the severity of his hamstring injury.
Meanwhile, long-term absentees Emi Buendia, Jacob Ramsey, Boubacar Kamara and Tyrone Mings will play no further part in this campaign as they eye up a return in pre-season.
Aston Villa predicted XI vs Liverpool
Emi Martinez has been fantastic for Aston Villa all season and they’ll need him at his best to keep Liverpool’s prolific trio at bay.
Emery played a five-at-the-back system against system Olympiacos, though he’s likely to revert to a four-man defence, with Matty Cash dropping out after his poor display.
The Spaniard should play Ezri Konsa at right back – who has only been dribbled past three times this season to deal with the threat of Luis Diaz – with Diego Carlos, Pau Torres and Lucas Digne making up the backline.
A flat midfield two of Douglas Luiz and John McGinn should continue on Monday, with Belgian ‘genius’ Youri Tielemans deployed just ahead, as long as he’s fit to play.
Tielemans could give Villa the edge against Liverpool, as will the electric Leon Bailey, who will start on the right with Moussa Diaby on the left and Ollie Watkins up top.
