Odds courtesy of TonyBet.
Aston Villa vs Liverpool Odds
There’s no clear favorite here at soccer betting sportsbooks. Liverpool sits at +127 on the moneyline, while Aston Villa comes in at +195. A draw is priced at +285. The O/U is set at three goals.
The Merseysiders have absolutely run riot on the Lions in recent memory. They’re enjoying an 11-game unbeaten run against Villa, winning on eight occasions. Their last visit to Birmingham ended in a 2-2 draw.
Aston Villa vs Liverpool Analysis
If the Lions were more consistent over the last month, there wouldn’t even be a doubt about them playing Champions League football next term. But, they’ve struggled lately, and that’s exactly why Unai Emery’s men are level on 59 points with Liverpool, although they’re technically in fifth due to a worse goal difference than Friday’s opponents. Villa has captured just one victory in their last five Premier League games, losing to Tottenham and Fulham during that span.
Emery’s team should’ve comfortably handled relegated Burnley last Sunday, but they slipped up against a side that had no business even securing a draw. Ross Barkley and Ollie Watkins produced the goods for the Lions, but they conceded the equalizer shortly after Watkins hit home Villa’s second goal. With just two matches left in the campaign, Villa cannot afford another defeat here. Their finale isn’t an easy task either, as they head to the Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City.
Liverpool definitely hasn’t had the type of season a reigning champion would’ve liked. They’ve also shown a lot of inconsistency this season under second-year manager Arne Slot, who could be gone this summer, especially if the English giants do not qualify for the Champions League. However, the Reds have turned around their fortunes domestically as of late, losing just once in their previous five games. That was a couple of weeks ago, suffering a 3-2 defeat to Manchester United.
Slot’s side did not show a ton of attacking prowess last weekend against Chelsea, though, with Ryan Gravenberch’s first-half goal their only one of the match for the hosts. The Blues equalized shortly after, while both sides had VAR goals disallowed in the second period. Not making the UCL would be a serious disappointment for a club of Liverpool’s stature, but their track record against Villa is certainly a reason for optimism heading into Friday’s mammoth encounter. The Reds close out their campaign at home against Brentford on May 24 as well.
Aston Villa vs Liverpool Injury News
Aston Villa remain without Boubacar Kamara (knee), Alysson (groin), and Amadou Onana (calf) for Friday’s showdown with Liverpool, but Emery’s side is otherwise in solid shape. Emiliano Buendia is expected to return to the starting XI after beginning on the bench against Burnley.
Liverpool, meanwhile, is dealing with several injury concerns ahead of the trip to Villa Park. Conor Bradley (knee), Hugo Ekitike (Achilles), Giovanni Leoni (knee), and Wataru Endo (foot) are all ruled out, while Mohamed Salah (thigh), Ibrahima Konate (thigh), Alisson (fitness), and Florian Wirtz (illness) remain doubtful and will be assessed closer to kickoff.
Aston Villa vs Liverpool Picks
Villa is undoubtedly a better side than they’ve shown in recent weeks, and it’s also hard to know what Liverpool we will get on a weekly basis. With both showing weakness lately, I’m expecting a cagey affair that will end level.
Pick: Draw +285/TonyBet
