The upcoming Premier League fixture between Aston Villa and Liverpool, originally scheduled for the weekend preceding the March international break, has been rescheduled to February due to Liverpool’s commitments in the League Cup Final.
Match Info
- Premier League Matchday 29 of 38
- Wednesday 19th February 2025 14:30 EST / 19:30 GMT
- Villa Park, Birmingham, UK
Both teams are performing strongly in European competitions, with Aston Villa also advancing in the FA Cup, prompting the rescheduling of this clash to accommodate their congested fixture list. Managers Unai Emery and Arne Slot might have preferred a more relaxed schedule before their forthcoming significant league encounters as the month draws to a close.
Aston Villa recently surrendered two crucial points last Saturday, yet they benefit from additional preparation time compared to Liverpool, who secured a narrow victory against Wolves the following day. Despite maintaining a robust position atop the Premier League, Liverpool exhibited signs of fatigue in their latest outing, intensifying the need for recuperation. Fortunately for them, an unexpected exit from the FA Cup has freed up their schedule after their final league match in February, but the immediate challenge is to persevere through these demanding periods.
Liverpool’s potent forward line poses a significant threat to Aston Villa’s stretched defence. However, Aston Villa has the tactical capability to counter Liverpool’s attack, particularly as the visitors have struggled to maintain defensive solidity this season. Aston Villa could leverage strategic substitutions to tilt the game in their favour, maintaining their strong record of resilience at Villa Park.
Though Aston Villa has not defeated Liverpool in their last four home encounters, their robust home performances this season provide a foundation for optimism. While a victory might seem ambitious, a draw is within reach, especially given Liverpool’s current odds.
Arne Slot’s astute team management has been a highlight of their campaign, earning them commendable results against top-tier teams like Bayern Munich and Manchester City. Despite an early setback against Arsenal at home, Aston Villa’s overall form suggests they are well-prepared to challenge the league leaders and possibly secure a favourable outcome in this crucial match.
Aston Villa
Aston Villa’s recent draw against a ten-man, relegation-battling team has intensified the pressure on the club, highlighting a potentially missed chance to secure a return to the Champions League. With the Premier League’s intense competition, securing a top-four finish remains a daunting task for Unai Emery and his squad. However, finishing fifth could still open a path to Europe’s premier club competition, a goal that remains firmly in Aston Villa’s sights.
Despite the allure of upcoming cup fixtures, the focus remains on the league where Aston Villa finds themselves in ninth place, six points adrift of Manchester City in fourth. Aston Villa’s record at Villa Park has been a mix of resilience and missed opportunities, with a 6-6-1 tally in the league this season. February sees them playing three of their four remaining fixtures at home, a crucial advantage they are keen to capitalize on.
The team’s recent form has been uneven; they managed only two wins from their last seven matches across all competitions. However, their home strength is undeniable, remaining unbeaten in 12 consecutive matches at Villa Park in all competitions, with seven wins in their last ten home games. Yet, in the Premier League, they have drawn three of their last four matches at home, a trend they are eager to reverse.
Injury concerns compound Aston Villa’s challenges ahead of their rearranged fixture against Liverpool. Key players such as Ezri Konsa and Boubacar Kamara are doubtful, with Kamara unlikely to recover in time. There is some hope that Leon Bailey will return, but both Matty Cash and Amadou Onana are expected to be sidelined until the following week, adding to the complexity of Aston Villa’s preparations.
Liverpool
Liverpool’s relentless fixture list in the 2024/25 season, competing across four different tournaments, has inevitably taken its toll on the squad’s energy levels. Despite this, Arne Slot’s team managed to secure a narrow victory over Wolves at Anfield last Sunday, maintaining their competitive edge in the Premier League.
This victory extended Liverpool’s lead to seven points over their closest rivals, Arsenal, at the summit of the league. Having already played an additional match against Everton earlier in the month, Liverpool now faces the challenge of maintaining their impressive away record of 9-4-0. With another game in hand over the Gunners, it’s crucial for Liverpool to continue applying pressure at the top.
Recent form has seen Liverpool experience mixed results on the road; they suffered a defeat at Plymouth Argyle and a draw at Everton, alongside the recent win over Wolves. The team has secured just one victory in their last four away games across all competitions, with two of their last four Premier League away matches ending in draws.
In terms of squad availability, Liverpool welcomes back Curtis Jones from suspension, providing a boost to their midfield options. However, injury doubts remain for Joe Gomez and Cody Gakpo, whose potential absence could impact the team’s dynamics for the upcoming clash against Aston Villa.
America Bet Match Winner Prediction
Liverpool to Win
Liverpool appears well-poised to secure another victory in their upcoming fixture against Aston Villa. Despite experiencing some fatigue due to their heavy fixture schedule, Liverpool’s depth and tactical flexibility under Arne Slot have allowed them to maintain a strong position at the top of the Premier League. Their resilience in away games, evidenced by a solid record of 9 wins, 4 draws, and no losses, supports the prediction that they will overcome the challenges posed by Aston Villa. Moreover, the return of Curtis Jones adds midfield strength, potentially offsetting the doubts around Joe Gomez and Cody Gakpo. Given Aston Villa’s recent inconsistency at home and Liverpool’s determination to extend their lead over Arsenal, the Reds are likely to emerge victorious, continuing their pursuit of the title with tenacity and strategic precision.
America Bet Score Prediction
Aston Villa 1 – 2 Liverpool
This scoreline prediction reflects the competitive nature of the fixture while acknowledging Liverpool’s edge over Aston Villa. Liverpool’s resilience on the road and their motivation to maintain a lead in the Premier League suggest they will be assertive and effective in attack. Aston Villa, while strong at home, has shown vulnerability in converting draws into wins in recent matches. With Liverpool’s ability to capitalize on even slight opportunities, a narrow victory is anticipated. The return of Curtis Jones could provide Liverpool with added creativity and control in the midfield, tipping the balance in their favour against an Aston Villa side struggling with key player injuries. Thus, a hard-fought 2-1 victory for Liverpool seems a plausible outcome, reinforcing their position at the top of the table.
America Bet Betting Tips
- Liverpool to win.
- Over 2.5 goals total.
- Both teams to score.
- Liverpool to win and both teams to score.
- Second half to have more goals than the first half.
- Curtis Jones to score at any time.
- Exact score: Aston Villa 1 – 2 Liverpool.
- Liverpool to win at least one half.
- Total corners over 8.5.
- Liverpool to receive the first booking.
