Aston Villa Vs Liverpool
Aston Villa Vs Liverpool Friday 8th January 2021 – 19:45 (kick-off)
English FA Cup
Pick: Liverpool to WIN
Odds: 11/10
Bookmaker: Unibet
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 5th January 2021)
Preview: If both managers are to remain true to form and their word, there could be plenty of changes for Friday’s FA Cup third round showdown between two clubs who have lifted the trophy no fewer than seven times apiece, Aston Villa and Liverpool.
English FA Cup Betting at Bet365
Table of Contents
Aston Villa – Smith hinting at resting key individuals?
Since losing in the final to Arsenal in 2015, Aston Villa have not made it beyond the fourth round in their five subsequent efforts, bowing out in the third round in each of the past four at the expense of Peterborough, Swansea, Tottenham and, more recently, Fulham. It begs the question then, with manager Dean Smith hinting at changes ahead of Friday’s clash with Liverpool, is another early cup exit inevitable?
Smith is seemingly banking on his opposite number taking a similar approach to this fixture, citing the number of games played in December and the plethora of fixtures yet to come in January. The Villa boss has also named a largely unchanged side in recent encounters with Crystal Palace, Chelsea and Man Utd, which were all completed inside seven days, that saw them collect a win, a draw and a defeat respectively.
The upside, however, is that several on the fringes of the squad will be keen to showcase their potential worth to a cause which has seen Villa go from relegation battlers last term to European hopefuls this. Currently eighth in the Premier League, Smith’s side have already thrashed Liverpool at Villa Park this season, winning 7-2 on 4 October, but have since won just one of five home matches (W1 D1 L3).
Liverpool – Klopp can no longer afford to dismiss FA Cup?
That Jurgen Klopp often overlooks the value or significance of trying to win the FA Cup is basically common knowledge. In his five seasons with the Merseyside club, the German has overseen ten FA Cup ties whilst never progressing further than the fifth round, masterminding just five victories having beaten top-flight opposition only twice. In relation to the latter, both occasions seen them oust near locals Everton.
Liverpool’s record in this competition under Klopp is abysmal for a club of their stature and resources. That record becomes all the more galling for supporters when we consider that only four clubs have lifted the FA Cup more often. Klopp himself might bemoan the luck of the draw once again, with this tie maintaining his record for drawing at least one Premier League opposition in either the third or fourth rounds.
Last season did see progress, though, with the fifth round exit at Stamford Bridge to Chelsea representing their best performance thus far. All too often, however, it is a means of offering up minutes to those in need of them. Mass rotation, therefore, cannot be ruled out, despite the Reds in desperate need of a pick me up. Last Monday’s 1-0 loss to Southampton extending their winless run to three matches (D2 L1).
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Aston Villa Vs Liverpool Betting Advice
The last two meetings between the sides at Villa Park, one in the League Cup last season and the other in the Premier League in October, were won emphatically by Aston Villa by a combined aggregate of 12-2. So there could be a fair amount of trepidation emanating from this Liverpool side who have looked decidedly flat of late, mustering one goal and two points across their last three league games.
Aston Villa Vs Liverpool – Key Facts:
- Since thrashing Liverpool 7-2 in the Premier League in October, Aston Villa have won only one of five home matches (W1 D1 L3) at Villa Park.
- Both of Liverpool‘s two away victories over English sides in 2020/21 were ‘to nil’, however, they have now won just one of the past eight such matches (W1 D5 L2).
- Aston Villa have won the last two competitive meetings with Liverpool at Villa Park, twice as many as they had managed across the previous seven (W1 L6).
Aston Villa have a woeful record in this competition though, exiting at this very stage in each of the past four campaigns, and Dean Smith seems intent on resting key personnel with next Wednesday’s clash with Tottenham in mind. Meanwhile, Liverpool aren’t in action again until nine days time. That may tempt Klopp into going strong here, possibly with a view to getting his team back on the winning trail ahead of hosting Man Utd next time out.
Best Betting Odds – Aston Villa Vs Liverpool
Aston Villa – 12/5 (Betway)
Draw – 3/1 (Betfair)
Liverpool – 11/10 (Unibet)
