Premier League preview and odds: Aston Villa vs Liverpool

Published on: 12/02/2016

Premier League preview and odds: Aston Villa vs Liverpool

February 14, 2016 14:05pm - Villa Park

Premier League

Aston Villa will be hoping to close the gap on their Premier League relegation rivals this Sunday when they host a Liverpool side who still harbour feint hopes of grabbing a European qualification spot.

Villa still believe

A win last week has given Aston Villa renewed hope in their quest for Premier League survival. With the two teams directly above failing to win, Remi Garde`s men have closed the gap on their rivals but remain eight points adrift of safety.

Last time out, they won 2-0 at home to Norwich - a result that dragged their opponents into the relegation zone. In total, they have picked up half of their Premier League point`s total (16) in their last five games. The Villains have not been beaten in any of their last four home games in the league, having won two and drawn two.

Liverpool still not clicking in the league

Liverpool have a League Cup final to look forward to, and will soon resume their Europa League campaign. However, in the league, the Reds have failed to make much progress since the arrival of Jurgen Klopp. Their cause has not been helped by a string of injuries to key players, but those issues have been eased somewhat with the recent return of strikers Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi.

In their last game, Liverpool held a 2-0 lead over Sunderland with eight minutes to go but still failed to take all three points. Late strikes from Adam Johnson and Jermaine Defoe levelled the scores to leave the home side frustrated.

Team news

The home side will be without the injured group of Jack Grealish, Carlos Sanchez, Adama Traore, Jordan Amavi, while Rudy Gestede and Alan Hutton could both be available after spells out.

Meanwhile, the visitors will be without Dejan Lovren, Joe Allen, Martin Skrtel, Jordan Rossiter, Danny Ings and Joe Gomez.

Recent form (League)

Aston Villa: WLDDW

Liverpool: LLLLW

Betting odds and tips

Villa are unbeaten in four at home but Liverpool could have striking reinforcements available in the form of Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi. They also have a fit-again Philippe Coutinho at their disposal.

You can back the away win at 17/20 with Bet365

By Neil Morris

Published on: 12/02/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (12/02/2016 15:53:00) but are subject to change.