Aston Villa host Liverpool at Villa Park on Friday night in Round 37 of the Premier League, with both teams arriving after mixed recent runs and little room for drift at the end of the campaign.
The game carries extra weight as it brings together two teams whose form has faltered at various points, while the recent head-to-head record suggests Liverpool have had the upper hand without making the contest one-sided.
Check out our Aston Villa vs Liverpool stats and stats
why does it matter
For Aston Villa, this is a chance to reset after a patchy spell that has included narrow defeats and a draw at Burnley. With the season entering its final stretch, a home performance against one of the league’s top teams would provide a timely statement and some momentum to finish.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are trying to respond after a draw with Chelsea and a defeat at Manchester United that interrupted a stronger run. A result at Villa Park would help them reassert control after a few patchy displays and keep their campaign on the right track.
Image of the form
Aston Villa’s league form has been inconsistent, with just one win in their last five. The 4-3 win over Sunderland showed their attacking threat, but defeats to Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham, plus the draw at Burnley, underlined how often they have been left chasing games.
Their most extensive recent record is similar, with a strong Europa League win over Nottingham Forest alongside another loss to the same opposition and a loss to Tottenham. This mix points to a side capable of producing a big performance but yet to find the consistency to back it up.
Liverpool’s league form has been steadier overall, although the last two results have checked their momentum. Wins over Crystal Palace, Everton and Fulham came before the draw at Chelsea and the setback at Manchester United, suggesting a team that has generally been more reliable in recent weeks.
In all competitions, Liverpool’s results still show more control than Villa’s, but defeat to Paris Saint Germain and recent league exit at Old Trafford hint at a team that can be exposed when the tempo is up. They arrive with more stability than Villa, but without complete security.
key plot
The main tactical question is whether Villa can make this a more open, forward contest at home or whether Liverpool’s structure and control in midfield will slow the game down. Villa have shown they can score, but they have also been vulnerable when games stretch.
Liverpool’s likely form suggests they will look to manage possession through Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch, while using pace and movement around Cody Gakpo to unsettle Villa’s backline. Villa, on the other hand, will look to use Morgan Rogers, Ross Barkley and Ollie Watkins to attack quickly and make the most of transitions.
Team news
Aston Villa are without Amadou Onana with a calf problem, which removes an option in midfield and could leave them relying more on John McGinn, Ross Barkley and Youri Tielemans in midfield. Their recent lineups suggest a familiar 4-2-3-1 base, with Emiliano Martinez behind a back four and Ollie Watkins leading the line.
This form gives Villa a clear attacking reference, but Onana’s absence may reduce their physical presence and ball-winning options in midfield. It also increases the importance of Morgan Rogers and Victor Lindelöf to help Villa stay connected between the lines and avoid being overrun.
Liverpool’s only injury listed is Florian Wirtz, who has a stomach problem, and that removes a creative option from their attacking group. Their recent selections suggest some flexibility, but the projected eleven points towards a 4-2-3-1 with Giorgi Mamardashvili in goal and Cody Gakpo at center forward.
The expected Liverpool side also indicate a balance between control and width, with Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez likely to provide energy from the wings. With Wirtz unavailable, the burden on Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister to provide the final pass is even greater.
Tactical battle
The key area is likely to be midfield, where Villa’s compactness will be tested by Liverpool’s ability to circulate the ball and set it up. If Villa can’t stop Liverpool from settling into rhythm, the visitors may be able to dictate the territory for long periods.
At the other end, Liverpool will need to manage Villa’s direct running and movement around Watkins, especially if the home side can turn the game into a series of quick attacks. The first goal can shape the whole night, because both teams have shown that they can look much more dangerous when the game opens.
Recent Meetings
Liverpool have had the better of this fixture recently, winning 2-0 in November 2025 and again in November 2024, while a 2-2 draw at Villa Park in February 2025 showed Villa can compete at home. The wider pattern still favors Liverpool, but Villa have at least made the contest more competitive in front of their own supporters.
Journalist’s opinion
It looks like a game where Liverpool’s greater recent stability should give them the edge, but the home atmosphere and Villa’s attacking moments mean it’s unlikely to be straightforward. If Villa start well and keep the game open, they have enough threats to make Liverpool uncomfortable.
Even so, the balance of form and recent head-to-head record suggest that Liverpool will be the more controlled team throughout the 90 minutes. Villa can create chances, but Liverpool look better placed to manage the key moments and walk away with a result.
prediction
Liverpool will see off a competitive contest at Villa Park, with Villa likely to make it a lively and open night.
