MatchThe opposition lowdown: Aston Villa

Recent form

Villa head in to this contest following a 1-1 home draw with Ipswich Town last weekend.

Prior to that fixture, they overcame Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 in the Emirates FA Cup, which followed a 2-0 defeat away at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Unai Emery's side, who have progressed to the last 16 of the Champions League, currently sit ninth in the Premier League standings with 38 points from their 25 fixtures.

Key men

In the league, forward Ollie Watkins has been the hosts' key man in front of goal, netting 11 times alongside his five assists.

January departure Jhon Duran had struck on seven occasions before his exit, while attacking playmaker Morgan Rogers has six goals and four assists to his name.

The injured Ross Barkley has also scored three goals with one assist and Youri Tielemans has recorded four assists and one goal.

Team news

Leon Bailey, Matty Cash and Ezri Konsa will undergo late fitness tests to see if they can return from injury.

But Boubacar Kamara has been ruled out following his early withdrawal against Ipswich, joining Barkley, Pau Torres and Amadou Onana on the sidelines.

Previous meeting

In the reverse meeting in November, Liverpool earned a 2-0 victory at Anfield.

Darwin Nunez struck in the opening half to give the hosts the lead and Mohamed Salah's effort six minutes from time clinched all three points.

What they said

Villa head coach Emery

"We have to try to impose our game plan, to dominate with our structure tactically and collectively, then trying to use our skilled players as well to get difference on the field against them in the duels and collectively.

"I appreciate a very high performance they [Liverpool] are getting this year, more than the last two years when I arrived here. For me as a coach, it's really a big challenge, great challenge to try to be motivated, how we can collectively set our game plan against them. It is the most difficult match we are going to play for the last weeks and months."

Pre-match stats

• The last seven Premier League meetings between the clubs at Villa Park have produced a total of 33 goals, an average of 4.7 per game.
• Villa's on-loan Marcus Rashford has scored five goals in eight home Premier League appearances against the Reds for Manchester United – his most home goals against any side in the competition.
• Only against Brighton & Hove Albion (seven) and Arsenal (six) has Watkins netted more goals in the Premier League than he has against Liverpool (five).
• Villa have lost six of their last seven top-flight fixtures against sides starting the day top of the table. They did, however, win their most recent home game versus the leaders (1-0 v Arsenal in December 2023).