EPL: Liverpool vs Aston Villa Odds
Both Sides Going for Third Straight Win
Nunez, Liverpool Pull Off a Comeback
When Liverpool were down 1-0 at Newcastle last weekend and Virgil van Dijk picked up a 28th-minute red card, things looked bleak. However, LFC didn’t quit, and substitute striker Darwin Nunez scored a brace to help them pull off a comeback victory. Liverpool will host Aston Villa as they try to preserve their unbeaten start to the season. Villa have won their last two matches since losing 5-1 in their opener at Newcastle. With both teams in excellent form, we’ll give bettors an overview of the Liverpool vs Aston Villa odds.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
Day/Time:
Location: Anfield, Liverpool, England
Head-to-Head:
Since Aston Villa’s shocking 7-2 victory over Liverpool in 2020, LFC are unbeaten in all competitions in their last six EPL matches vs. Aston Villa. On last season’s EPL schedule, Liverpool drew 1-1 with Aston Villa at Anfield and picked up a 3-1 win in Birmingham. Both teams have found the net in six of the last seven head-to-head matchups.
Van Dijk Suspended for Liverpool
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk uncharacteristically got sent off in the first half of Liverpool’s match vs. Newcastle last weekend. He is automatically suspended for this match but the English FA could increase his suspension due to his reaction. With Ibrahima Konate injured for Liverpool, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez will likely be the two starters at center back.
The Reds could also get midfielders Thiago Alcantara and Curtis Jones back in time for this one. Liverpool are coming off one of their best wins in recent memory, and it could be just what they need to get their season fully up and running. They’ve won their last two matches after their opening 1-1 draw vs. Chelsea.
Mo Salah leads Liverpool’s EPL stats so far this season, with three goal contributions. Along with Salah, Jurgen Klopp has a bunch of talented attackers at his disposal. Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, and Cody Gakpo are all in the running to start on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Liverpool’s new-look midfield with Wataru Endo, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Alexis Mac Allister has shown some promising signs thus far. Unsurprisingly, the Liverpool vs Aston Villa odds price the Reds as favorites for this match at Anfield.
Villa Not to be Underestimated
Aston Villa’s transformation under Unai Emery has been remarkable to see. Barring a disaster on Thursday, they’ll be playing in the UEFA Europa Conference League group stage this season. They defeated Hibernian 5-0 in the first leg of the playoff as Ollie Watkins scored a hat trick.
Watkins was also involved in Aston Villa’s first goal at Burnley last Sunday as he set up right-back Matty Cash in the eighth. Cash scored an unlikely brace and doubled Aston Villa’s lead just 12 minutes later, finishing off a 19-pass move. Villa managed a 3-1 win over Burnley, and new signing Moussa Diaby scored their third goal.
Since losing their season opener 5-1 to Newcastle, Villa have won their last two EPL matches and are currently in seventh place in the EPL standings. Only Manchester City have earned more points than Aston Villa in the Premier League in 2023. It’s possible that Villa are top-four challengers this year, and this match vs. Liverpool is an opportunity for them to make a big statement.
However, they do have some significant injuries. Both defender Tyrone Mings and midfielder Emiliano Buendia are out with long-term knee issues. Jacob Ramsey, Philippe Coutinho, and Leander Dendoncker could all return after the international break. Plus, goalkeeper Emi Martinez missed the game vs. Burnley and is questionable for Sunday.
Match Analysis & Odds
It’s fair to expect Liverpool to have the bulk of possession in this one. Aston Villa may even be comfortable with that, as they’ve been a good counter-attacking side so far. Moussa Diaby is one to watch for Aston Villa as he’s already scored twice and provided an assist to kick off his Aston Villa career.
Regardless, the Liverpool vs Aston Villa odds price hosts Liverpool as one-goal favorites. Liverpool -1 comes in at +105 odds, while Aston Villa +1 shows -125 odds. The Reds won their home opener 3-1 and are -150 moneyline favorites to win at Anfield once again. Note that both backlines have absences and the over/under goal total is at 3.5 goals as a result.
Currently, the oddsmakers price under 3.5 goals at -130. Wins at Anfield for Aston Villa have been quite rare and they last managed the feat in 2014. Villa’s moneyline is +345, while a draw sits at +340 odds here. Expect both sides to have more than a few chances in this one, either way.
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