Liverpool have only won three of their last eight league games
Aston Villa level on points but with a -8 worse goal difference
Recommended bet: Draw @ 5/2 with LiveScore Bet
Aston Villa and Liverpool meet in a Friday night clash that could decide who finishes fourth in the Premier League this season.
Despite stuttering of late, these two remain on course for Champions League qualification this season and the Villa Park showdown – both teams' penultimate game of the campaign - looks set to be a tight one.
The latest Aston Villa vs Liverpool odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
Villa boss Unai Emery may opt to rotate his squad with the Europa League final against Bundesliga outfit Freiburgon the horizon next week.
The fifth-placed hosts are still without injured midfield duo Boubacar Kamara and Amadou Onana, while on-loan Harvey Elliott is ineligible to face his parent club.
Liverpool will again check on the fitness of goalkeeper Alisson and forward Mohamed Salah, who are both nearing returns, while Florian Wirtz is expected to have recovered from illness to feature.
The visitors, in fourth, remain without Conor Bradley, Wataru Endo and Giovanni Leoni, who are all on the long-term injured list.
The stats
Villa have only won one of their last five games in all competitions, but Unai Emery's side have won five of their last six home matches.
Liverpool have lost five of their last six away matches in all competitions, although the Reds won the reverse fixture at Anfield 2-0 in November.
The last two meetings between these two sides at Villa Park have been draws.
The latest Aston Villa vs Liverpool odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Villa and Liverpool have both been targeting a top-five place for several weeks now and, while they should ultimately achieve that aim, it is fair to say recent results have been disappointing.
In the league, Villa followed up a home defeat to struggling Tottenham with a draw at already-relegated Burnley last weekend, while Liverpool lost 3-2 at rivals Manchester United before being held at home by Chelsea – who had lost their previous six without even scoring.
So, despite their fairly lofty positions in the table, there is plenty of room for improvement all round.
Villa's season could yet end in glory as they have the Europa League final coming up next week and Emery may have an eye on the big Freiburg clash going into this game.
That offers some hope to the visitors that they can secure a win to confirm their top-five place, but the way Arne Slot's side have been playing does not generate much confidence that they are capable of raising their level sufficiently against a close rival to do so.
Therefore, a draw looks to be the most likely outcome.
Score prediction: Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool
