Aston Villa head out on the road in the Premier League for the final time this season for what is a massive clash against Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday. Both sides are desperate for points to fulfil their respective targets with the Reds eager to finish in the Champions League spots and Villa gunning for the top seven.
Unai Emery has done a remarkable job to guide the Villans from being relegation candidates to genuine fighters for Europe and he was nominated for the Premier League Manager of the Season award to honour that. The work isn’t done there, though, with at least four points out of six realistically needed.
Liverpool are in excellent form having won their last seven consecutive league matches and will be full of confidence to extend that to eight. Klopp has made his admiration of Villa public, however, as he believes it could be a very tough game for his side to keep tabs on the top four.
It’s arguably even more difficult for Emery and his men, though, and so the Spanish head coach will likely field his strongest possible side to have the best chance of a positive result. From dropping an experienced head to risking a returnee and swapping John McGinn’s role, here’s how we think Villa will lineup at Anfield.
1. Aston Villa predicted starting lineup vs Liverpool
Here are the 11 players we think Emery will start at Anfield.
2. GK - Emiliano Martinez
Named as the best goalkeeper in the world by FIFA and has proven time and time again that he’s certainly up there. So often pulls off saves that completely change the complexion of matches.
3. RB - Matty Cash
Should finally be back and ready to go after a fairly long lay-off with a calf injury picked up on international duty. It feels tough to drop Ashley Young, but Cash has more pace up against a speedy Liverpool side.
4. CB - Ezri Konsa
Looks a different player now that he’s having to look over his shoulder at a fit and ready Diego Carlos. We imagine it’ll still be Konsa in the XI but it’s probably a close call for Emery.