Aston Villa

Aston Villa are capable of beating anyone on their day, but they have not won any of their past four Premier League games and they are short of fit defenders too.

So they have got bigger problems than Liverpool, who are still without Cody Gakpo but otherwise only missing Joe Gomez through injury.

It was interesting to hear Reds defender Andy Robertson admitting the team felt nervous towards the end of Sunday's win over Wolves. I know that feeling, but hearing Robertson say that now surprised me a little bit, because there still a long way to go in the title race.

Robertson has been there, done it and won it with Liverpool before, in the Premier League and Champions League, but it shows how players feel the pressure even if I still feel their seven-point lead, with 13 games to go, is a big gap for Arsenal to make up.

Liverpool are not going to play well all the time, and if this is their blip - a draw in the Merseyside derby thanks to a stoppage-time equaliser by Everton and then an edgy win over Wolves - then it is not exactly a reason to panic.

In the past few weeks they have also gone out of the FA Cup and lost their final Champions League group game against PSV Eindhoven too, but it was their reserves who lost to Plymouth and, in Europe, they were already through.

For Arne Slot, one of the important things now is balancing when to try to rest players - and Aston Villa have been in a similar situation all season because of their Champions League campaign.

Villa do not have the strength in depth Liverpool do, but they do now have Marcus Rashford, who came on and made a bit of a difference in Saturday's draw with Ipswich.

I think Villa will score against Liverpool but it is the other end of the pitch that concerns me with Unai Emery's side, partly because of that lack of defenders, especially centre-halves, but also because I feel teams can always score against them anyway - they have kept only three clean sheets in the league all season.

With Liverpool's attacking power, I am expecting them to find a way through. Arsenal are waiting for them to slip up, and they have got another tough away game at the weekend when they go to Manchester City.

They will know this is a huge week in their season, but before they go to Etihad Stadium, I can see them taking three points here.

The performance for Liverpool does not matter here. It is all about the result, and maintaining that gap.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Make your own prediction here

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• Aston Villa's Unai Emery has won just one of his 12 meetings with Liverpool in all competitions (D4 L7), winning the 2016 UEFA Europa League final 3-1 with Sevilla. Among opponents he has faced 5+ times in his managerial career, that win rate of 8% against Liverpool is his lowest.

• Aston Villa's Marcus Rashford scored five goals in eight home Premier League appearances against Liverpool for Manchester United – his most home goals against any side in the competition. Indeed, excluding penalties, the only players with more home Premier League goals against Liverpool are Sergio Agüero (seven), Thierry Henry (six), and Jamie Vardy (six).

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Liverpool have improved under Arne Slot despite their success under Jurgen Klopp, according to Aston Villa boss Unai Emery.

Slot's Premier League leaders are yet to lose away from home this season, while the hosts have been beaten just once at Villa Park in the top flight, losing 2-0 to Arsenal in August.

Liverpool come to Villa Park for the rearranged game - because of their Carabao Cup final against Newcastle next month - on Wednesday knowing victory will extend their lead at the top to 10 points.

Klopp won their first title for 30 years in 2020 while also lifting the Champions League in 2019 - and being a runner-up twice in both - but Emery believes Slot, who replaced Klopp last summer, has raised Liverpool further.

"With Klopp they did fantastic, but with Slot they're doing even better," he said.

"As a coach, it is a big challenge, a challenge to how we can collectively set our gameplan against them. It's the most difficult match we are going to play for the last weeks and months.

"We have to compete because they are going to demand a lot of us, tactically and individually.

"I appreciate them and they have a very high level of performance this year - more than the past two years. They are even doing better."

Nat Hayward
BBC Sport journalist

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Premier League game against Liverpool at Villa Park (19:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Emery confirmed midfielder Boubacar Kamara will miss the game. Defenders Matty Cash and Ezri Konsa, and forward Leon Bailey, are injury doubts but the Villa boss said he will make a final decision on availability tomorrow.

• More on Kamara's issue: "He was ready to play with some problem in his back, but the injury was not coming from his back, it's his hamstring. He is trying to analyse and meet with the doctors and physios a lot to see how we can get better. Exactly why - it's difficult."

• Tyrone Mings will be available to face the Reds: "Very important player. His comeback has been very good, performing very well. He had a small stop in his recovery but he played on Saturday. Tomorrow, we will need him being available, playing his best. He is one of the captains, a leader as well in the defensive line. His commitment is very, very high."

• On hosting the league leaders: "We are excited. Liverpool are now the best team in the Premier League. They are the best team in Europe. Our challenge tomorrow is how we can face them, how can we respond with our quality, how we can play at this level trying to get confidence for ourselves."

• Emery said his side can take lessons from Saturday's 1-1 draw with Ipswich: "We had enough chances. It was not enough but we analyse with the players and we are speaking about how we can respond in the next matches. We are being positive. We are excited and we are performing in the right direction."

• On how Villa plan to cope with Mohamed Salah: "He has been amazing. This year, he is playing his best football. When team-mates have a player like him, everyone is playing more comfortable. We have to try to improve our gameplan, to dominate with our structure, tactically and collectively."

• On managing his squad in a period of four games in nine days: "We are going to prepare for each match with good rest, good food and by sleeping well, and then play each match with the players feeling as well as possible in everything. I have to be demanding of myself as well and choose the players each match to keep us strong and protect the players."

Follow all of Tuesday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

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Liverpool boss Arne Slot has said he would be "completely surprised" if Marcus Rashford does not impress during his loan spell at Aston Villa, as the two sides prepare to meet at Villa Park on Wednesday.

Rashford has scored seven times for Manchester United in matches against the Reds, but only emerged on the winning side four times in 19 meetings.

The 27-year-old will be hoping to start against the league leaders after impressing in the second half of Saturday's draw with Ipswich.

"I know Marcus Rashford as I follow the Premier League," Slot said on Tuesday.

"The first time I faced him was on the USA tour and was really impressed with how fast he is and comfortable on ball. I hope he shows that at Villa - but not tomorrow.

"I'd be completely surprised if a player of that quality isn't going to show that in upcoming months. He is a very good player."

The Reds have an opportunity to go 10 points clear at the top before Arsenal next play, but Slot is not looking beyond the trip the Villa Park with tough matches away to Manchester City and at home to Newcastle to follow.

"I see it as 13 games to be played and the next one is the most important one," the Dutchman added.

"Villa away is like Wolves at home [the 2-1 win on Saturday] - a difficult one. They have a great home record, maybe more when they play in the evening. Last season was 3-3. They have a very good manager who always has a very good gameplan.

"We know it's going to be a challenge but we know we have a quite OK away record this season."

David Michael
Fan writer

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For a team desperate to get in the mix for European football, failing to win any of the past four league games - when already off the pace - is doing nothing more than cementing mid-table status, especially when the past three games were against relegation-threatened teams.

Saturday's 1-1 draw against Ipswich continued Villa's poor record against 10-man teams, with Ipswich playing with a man fewer for 50 minutes. Failing to beat a team that has just three wins in 25 matches and a -27 goal difference suggests that a miraculous turnaround is needed.

Villa's six draws at Villa Park have blunted their domestic ambitions this season and the home tests are about to get more difficult, with Liverpool, Chelsea, Nottingham Forest and Newcastle the upcoming visitors.

The well-documented issues lie at both ends of the pitch. An over-reliance on Ollie Watkins for goals magnifies the fact he leads the league in big chances missed with 21, and against Ipswich, Villa fielded their 10th different centre-back combination of the season.

The lazy outside narrative will tell you that Villa are struggling to handle the dual challenge of Champions League and Premier League football. However, considering the lack of quality in the Premier League at the moment - outside of Liverpool and Arsenal, few top teams are actually performing at their best -this simply is not true.

While Villa have had injuries, they possess depth that has only recently been tested in defence, which was poor even before injuries became a factor.

The truth is becoming increasingly clear - a talented Villa team have dropped the ball in the Premier League this season.

Soon, only silverware will provide the season's proverbial silver lining. There is precedent - good Villa teams finished 11th when they lifted the European Cup in 1982 and 10th when they won the League Cup in 1994.

That is the straw I am clutching onto, with Champions League and FA Cup last-16 games to come.

Find more from David Michael at My Old Man Said, external

Former Premier League striker Glenn Murray believes Aston Villa fans saw "the Marcus Rashford of old" in the second half of Saturday's 1-1 draw against Ipswich.

The Manchester United loanee was substituted on at half-time with his side 1-0 down and impacted the game with direct running, physicality and intent.

It was his fine free-kick which hit the crossbar and fell to Ollie Watkins to score the equaliser from the rebound.

If not for some late heroics from Ipswich goalkeeper Alex Palmer, Rashford would have forced the winner when his cross was deflected towards his own goal by Conor Townsend.

A player criticised recently for his work-rate, he also recorded impressive defensive numbers, making three tackles alongside winning seven duels to illustrate his commitment to helping the team.

"I watched him and he looked like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders," Murray told the Football Daily podcast.

"He looked like the Marcus Rashford of old - running at people, committing defenders, being positive in his end product.

"We all knew it was there, we all knew he was capable of it. It's been a long time coming. Aston Villa fans will hope they continue to see that.

"Really refreshing from Marcus Rashford."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Aston Villa and Ipswich Town.

Here are some of your comments:

Aston Villa fans:

Max: The result doesn't tell the story. As the saying goes, "games are decided by moments". Ipswich had a moment that resulted in a goal and Villa had many that resulted in ONLY the one. Ipswich defended like Spartans. There were times when Villa seemed too relaxed to press their advantage. Rashford did everything he could, but a few of the mainstays looked a little tired. Marcus has earned a start from this and the Spurs game. One bit of brightness on an otherwise dreary result.

William: I can see us finishing 10th in the Premier League, going out in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and going out in the last 16 of the Champions League. Is that a successful season? I'm not sure.

Damien: So many disappointing results in games that are absolutely winnable. Somehow we remain four/five points off the Champions League places despite our form in recent months, but I think any hope of finishing in the top six is gone. Too many teams competing between fourth and 10th now and we don't have the consistency or the efficiency to put games away. All hopes in the FA Cup and the Champions League run.

Prit: Same old problems once again in this Aston Villa season - can't keep a clean sheet and can't score enough goals. Last week we should have been out of sight against Spurs and we should have scored at least five against Ipswich. Teams above us are taking their chances and each week it makes our chances of European football more remote (unless we win the Champions League and/or the FA Cup). On the plus side, looks like Rashford and Marco Asensio could make a real contribution.

Ipswich fans:

Marcus: Fabulous game by Ipswich. We fought incredibly hard with 10 men for an hour, but Ollie Watkins' goal was unstoppable. Our new goalkeeper was man of the match - he was sensational. With a keeper on form like that, have we possibly just tipped ourselves to getting out of the relegation zone?

Glenn: Would have taken a point before the game. Going down to 10 men would have ripped your hand off for a point. How good was Alex Palmer? What a way to make your Premier League debut.

Peter: The signing of Palmer could well be the piece of the puzzle we've been missing. With Liam Delap up front we always carry a threat. Fingers crossed Julio Encisco isn't out for any sustained period as he looks dangerous too. We will stay up!

James: I can't remember celebrating a more satisfying draw, especially up against a very one-sided refereeing display. The two yellow cards given to Alex Tuanzebe were incredibly soft. I thought Kieran McKenna got the tactics spot on, defending heroically and pushing forward when the opportunity was there. Delap's goal was expertly taken, and Villa's equaliser highly unfortunate. We then stood up to everything they threw at us, with Palmer's jaw-dropping late save the icing on the cake of a thoroughly deserved point. Such a performance and result should give everyone a boost heading into a potentially season-defining game against Tottenham next weekend.

Aston Villa, Brighton, Chelsea and Tottenham have all been closely monitoring Middlesbrough's 16-year-old midfield twins Anton and Bailey Palmer. (TBR Football), external

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Highlights and analysis from Saturday's seven Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from Friday's game between Brighton and Chelsea.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Man City 4-0 Newcastle

• Crystal Palace 1-2 Everton

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Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been speaking to BBC MOTD on whether today's draw was a missed opportunity: "The match we deserved to win, when it was 11v11 it was very difficult. They were being man to man and being very aggressive. We had some very good chances for Ollie Watkins and we needed to be clinical.

"In 90 minutes we were being positive and when they had the sending off, we really were dominating. We conceded one easy goal and to come back with the result it was difficult but we had the chances to do it, we had the chances to win but at the end they defend very well and they deserve the draw.

"The competed very well but we expected it. We tried and we played the second half dominating, we scored only one goal and it was not enough. We deserved more but they competed very well."

On Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio: "Good impact and keep going now, try to fit in as best as possible. We are playing against Liverpool here. We lost some opportunities but of course we have to be consistent and hope we can react."

On Boubacar Kamara's injury: "It's bad but I don't know now."

Matthew Howarth
BBC Sport journalist

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Saturday's visit of Ipswich Town was the first in a run of five matches in just 14 days for Aston Villa, whose manager Unai Emery voiced his frustration at the hectic schedule in his matchday programme notes.

Axel Tuanzebe's 40th-minute red card should have ensured a reasonably comfortable afternoon for the home side, who have not lost at Villa Park since Crystal Palace beat them in the Carabao Cup in late October.

But they were given an almighty scare when Liam Delap put Ipswich ahead with a deft flick from Omari Hutchinson's cross early in the second half, stunning the home supporters into near-silence.

Amid growing exasperation among the Villa fans, it was Ollie Watkins who hauled them back into the contest, firing home after the lively Marcus Rashford rattled the crossbar from a free-kick.

The hosts were denied victory by a fantastic stoppage-time Alex Palmer save from Conor Townsend's inadvertent flick towards goal, but they did not do enough to merit all three points against their battling opponents.

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Aston Villa have now gained 14 points from losing positions in the Premier League this season, the fourth-most of any side.

While Ipswich Town have dropped 19 points from winning positions, with only Southampton (20) and Tottenham Hotspur (21) having dropped more.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Aston Villa's performance

What did you make of Ipswich's display?

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Seven matches make up Saturday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Leicester City v Arsenal (12:30)

• Aston Villa v Ipswich Town

• Fulham v Nottingham Forest

• Man City v Newcastle - BBC Radio 5 Live commentary

• Southampton v Bournemouth

• West Ham v Brentford

• Crystal Palace v Everton (17:30) - BBC Radio 5 Live commentary

All kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here.

Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna made 11 changes for their FA Cup tie against Coventry, so what does he do here to try to stop his side's four-game losing run in the league?

Last time the Tractor Boys were in the Midlands, they demolished the Sky Blues, but this is obviously a much tougher test.

Aston Villa also got through in the FA Cup, beating Tottenham, but they have gone three games without a win in the league - drawing with Arsenal and West Ham, and losing to Wolves.

All three of those results came after midweek matches, however, and not being in the Champions League play-off round this week is a big boost for Villa.

Unai Emery's side are short of centre-backs, with Ezri Konsa the latest to be injured when he was forced off against Spurs, but they do have new loan signing Axel Disasi to come into their defence.

I think Ipswich will score, but Villa are going to score more.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Tasnim Chowdhury
BBC Sport journalist

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Ipswich Town (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Matty Cash, Pau Torres, Ezri Konsa, Amadou Onana, Ross Barkley remain out but Tyrone Mings and Ollie Watkins have trained on Friday morning and are therefore in the squad.

• On the club's new forwards: "They are very good players. I am very excited - they are working very well. I think the first match we played together last week against Tottenham at home, at Villa Park with our supporters, was a very exciting moment."

• On the requirement to play midweek against Liverpool: "We were planning three weeks of full training but we are going to have only two. We have to accept it. It's a key moment for us. Hopefully, we can get our best performances individually and collectively."

• On the balance of his squad: "Each match is an opportunity where we can see if we are getting stronger or not and if we are closer to our objective."

• Emery said the "next challenge" for the next three-and-a-half months is playing in different competitions. "They're very exciting ones we have: FA Cup, Champions League and the Premier League. The main objective we have through the Premier League is whether we will be in Europe or not next season."

• On Saturday's match against Ipswich: "A very good opportunity for the team, for the players and for the supporters. It's about how we can face a Premier League match with the players we have and with the idea and style we want to try."

• He is not underestimating their opponents: "They are performing really well. I appreciate how they are playing and competing. The coach is having a good impact tactically and then on the players they have with Liam Delap playing and performing very well. Of course, they are at the bottom in the league but that's because after their promotion into the Premier League it has been demanding. It's going to be a difficult match and we respect them a lot."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

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Marcus Rashford "would be an addition to any team in the league", says Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna.

McKenna previously worked with Rashford during his time coaching at Manchester United and is anticipating facing the 27-year-old when Town travel to Villa Park on Saturday.

"We know what a threat he is," McKenna said. "I think football careers are tough, and especially when you start as young as Marcus did and you break in at at 18. If you play until your mid-thirties or beyond, then it's not all going to be smooth sailing. It very rarely is.

"It's always easy to look at the negative aspect and you could certainly flip that on the head and say that he's a young player, he's come through the academy, from Wythenshawe and played for his boyhood club. He's won trophies and broken records and done some incredible things.

"His life is football. Things don't always go in a in a smooth direction. He's still young enough and he's still talented enough, so I'm sure he'll be working hard to play again regularly and and hit really good form."

Following Jhon Duran's move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, Rashford will now provide competition for striker Ollie Watkins.

"They've got a really deep, high quality forward unit where they can make really impactful subs," McKenna added.

"You're going to face a really strong front four at the start of the game, and there's every chance you're going to face a really strong, different front four at the end of the game. We've had to be thorough in our preparation."