Aston Villa vs Liverpool Prediction: Two Price Boosts for Friday Night Football

Aston Villa have a Europa League final to look ahead to on Wednesday night, and as a result, their Premier League clash with Liverpool has been brought forward to Friday (8pm, Sky Sports Main Event).

Below you can find my Aston Villa vs Liverpool predictions with betting tips and more, as the penultimate weekend of the Premier League begins in earnest. 

Team News

So what on earth will Aston Villa and Emery do on Friday night. The Europa League final looms large, but this change of kick-off day means that his side will get four full days between matches, more than enough time for recovery and travel.

It means he should start strong and then look to rest players in the second half. Boubacar Kamara (knee), Alysson (groin) and Amadou Onana (calf) are all definitely sidelined, but the in-form duo of Ollie Watkins and Emiliano Buendia should both start.

For Liverpool, Mo Salah has been cleared to feature in the final two games of the league season - although he is likely to play off the bench at Villa Park. 

“Ibrahima Konate is OK, trained with us,” Arne Slot explained in his press conference. “Salah is available for a few minutes but hopefully can come in. Alisson, trained with us, let's see where he is. Wirtz - stomach infection so let's see how fit he is. He is on antibiotics."

Football Odds

Aston Villa vs Liverpool Odds

Aston Villa are 15/8 to win this home game, with Betfred taking into account a potentially much-changed team from Unai Emery. Liverpool are 5/4 to take the three points, while a draw is 11/4.

Over 2.5 goals is 8/15, BTTS is 1/2 and Alexander Isak is the 5/1 favourite to score first. 

Price Boost  - Aston Villa to win, Ollie Watkins to score, Morgan Rogers 1+ shot on target @ 15/2

I don’t know if we are all reading too much into the upcoming Europa League final to be truthful. Villa will want to win this game to secure a top-five finish and take the pressure off that game vs Freiburg, and while Liverpool also need three points to guarantee Champions League football next season, they have not been at their best this term.

Ollie Watkins has been involved in 12 goals in his last 13 appearances for Villa, scoring nine times during that time, so he can score again here, while Morgan Rogers has had 83 shots at an average of 2.34 per 90 this term. I like this Price Boost, with the hope that Villa will come out strongly. 

Price Boost - BTTS, both teams 2+ cards, both teams 4+ shots on targets @ 5/1 

Both teams have scored in the last four Liverpool games and I feel as though we should get an even and open encounter at Villa Park on Friday. This Price Boost requires both teams to score, both teams to have two or more cards and four or more shots on target. 

Two-plus cards apiece seems achievable given what is on the line for both clubs, with the riches of the Champions League within reach. Liverpool got two cards vs Chelsea and two at Old Trafford, where they also managed four shots on goal.

Meanwhile, Villa dominated Burnley with seven shots on target in their 2-2 draw, but they have been relatively clean as they sit third in the Fair Play table. I’m backing a few cards and shots apiece at Villa Park, as we target another Price Boost.

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