Aston Villa vs Liverpool injury news - as five players confirmed out for Boxing Day clash

Aston Villa finally return to Premier League football on Boxing Day as they play host to Liverpool at Villa Park. Unai Emery’s side will be eager to give the patient Villans faithful some extra festive cheer as a victory could soar them into the top half of the league standings.

As it stands, Villa are in 12th place thanks to two successive Premier League wins before the World Cup break - against Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion. Emery seems to have boosted the Lions as they were hovering narrowly above the relegation zone before he arrived to replace Steven Gerrard.

Liverpool have struggled this campaign and they are in fact just four points ahead of Villa heading into this one. Jurgen Klopp and his men have failed to keep tabs on their title rivals with Arsenal, Manchester City and even Newcastle United running away with things at the summit of the table.

The Reds have struggled with injuries and suspensions as the likes of Luis Diaz, Darwin Nuñez, Thiago Alcantara, Joel Matip, Ibrahima Konate and Diogo Jota have all spent plenty of time on the sidelines. The last seven weeks without action have helped Liverpool’s squad recover somewhat, though. Here is the latest injury news for both sides ahead of kick off.

What is the injury news ahead of Aston Villa vs Liverpool?

The Lions will have to make do without first-choice goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, as he is still on leave after winning the World Cup with Argentina. Robin Olsen is expected to be the man to come in between the sticks, though the Sweden international is a doubt having picked up a knock recently.

Big-money centre back signing Diego Carlos remains sidelined with an Achilles’ tendon rupture, though he is getting closer and closer to a return as he has been back on the grass at Bodymoor Heath. Former Liverpool man Philippe Coutinho remains a major doubt with a hamstring problem. Jacob Ramsey is also doubtful after missing all of Villa’s mid-season friendlies.

For the Reds, attacking duo Luis Diaz (knee) and Diogo Jota (hamstring) are still recovering from their respective injuries and they are not available for selection. Klopp will have a selection dilemma with Curtis Jones, as the versatile midfielder is severely lacking in match fitness ahead of Monday.

Ibrahima Konate is highly likely to miss out as he will have not long since been back from Qatar, but Jordan Henderson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker and Fabinho should all be ready to play after enough time off since their own World Cup exits.

Ruled out: Martinez, Carlos (AVL); Diaz, Jota, Konate (LIV).

Doubts: Ramsey, Olsen, Coutinho (AVL); Jones (LIV).