I’ve been looking at the odds for the game and this morning I saw that you could get 9/1 for us to win tonight.
That’s massive odds given that Liverpool were somewhat lucky to beat us last season. It’s only a one-off game after all and we all know anything can happen.
To prove that, Blues are beating a near enough full strength Stoke side on their own turf, with just a few minutes to go.
As always, it’s a funny old game.
Then again, I think I’m glad that I can’t access my online betting account, as I’d probably be tempted to have a dabble and my head says that would definitely be money wasted.
Let’s look at squad news first and on our part, Jack Grealish had a bit of a dead leg, but should be okay. Kortney Hause went off on Thursday and is being assessed, so that’s possibly up in the air.
And Orjan Nyland, Bjorn Engles, Tom Heaton and Wesley are all out.
Not that it matters, as any of those injured wouldn’t have got any chance of starting this game.
As for Liverpool, Joel Matip, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Kostas Tsimikas are all out until after the international break.
The big news is that Sadio Mane is out because of Corona virus, as is Thiago Alcantara.
That’s good news for us, as it may save us conceding a goal or two.
Having read this far, you may already be getting the impression that I’m not expecting much here.
And you’d be right.
It’s not that I think Liverpool are miles ahead of us and beating them is an outright impossibility.
But the fact is they’re a very good side and it’s a big ask for any side, anywhere to beat them. It’s as simple as that.
That’s not to say we can’t hope though. Already I’m seeing results generally that don’t look quite right to me, as much as it’s early days.
I think we may see some top teams doing very poorly this season and vice versa. I hope so anyway, as it’s always good when the game gets mixed up.
But that’s not enough for me to think we can win this one.
The only issue I can see is whether Barkley comes straight in for Hourihane or not?
If I didn’t have a clue what Barkley has cost us, I’d have probably said he was much more likely to come off the bench. And while I don’t rate Hourihane in open play at all, it seems Dean Smith does, which sort of backs up my thinking.
But if the rumoured £11 million it’s supposed to have cost us is anywhere near true, you have to wonder how we could possibly justify not starting him. It’s not as if he’s not fit, after all.
So yes, I think he will come straight in.
Otherwise, the team still pretty much picks itself and I expect Traore to keep his place over Trezeguet. Which is ok, as Trez is a good player to bring on later anyway.
Then, there’s how do we approach this?
Well, I think Liverpool are going to get a couple whatever happens.
Some might think we’re all sorted in defence, but I’m not in the slightest bit convinced.
Hence I think we should definitely go for them from the off.
Thursday was a totally different game, with a totally different set of players, I know, but if we play anything like that slow, liverpool will tear us to pieces.
That said, we won’t.
And I think it’ll be closer than my head is telling me.
I’m going for 2-1 to Liverpool.
I’d like to think we can scrape a draw, but I just don’t see it, I’m afraid.
Up the Villa!
Comments
61 responses to “Villa – Liverpool; Should I predict a home win?”
You just never know, I suppose.
Paul Merson was critical of Villa ‘throwing’ the cup game against Stoke. His argument is that we played a stronger team against Burton plus it’s our only chance of silverware. Another argument is that it breaks up the winning mentality. Many times in the past we have saved our first team in a cup game in the hope we win the next league game, yet history suggests we go on a losing streak. Merson said we are likely to lose against Liverpool then Leicester away and suddenly we have 3 defeats on the bounce.
I want to stay positive and still dream of beating Liverpool but I think keeping the winning mentality is more important than saving the entire first team. You can bet Sir Ron would have picked his best team.
I fear you’re right, but I do recall a game (think it was back in ’76) when Liverpool came to VP as champions, and we were 4-1 up by half time if I recall correctly, and won 5-1 in the end.
Pool were in their pomp at the time, and nobody expected that sort of result…
I think it was 5-1 at half time! My older brother talks about it all the time.
On a brighter note let’s all sing “glory glory Man United”
Badger’s point about current results looking weird is right: apart from ManU now, look at West Ham beating Leicester earlier today – who’d have put money on those two results?
Come on Villa!!!!!! A very sexy game tonight!!!!
Yes, Watkins!
1-0
I love Klopp, but I really want 3 points tonight!
Nearly two!!!
How did Barkley miss that?
Liverpool look well dodgy atm.
Is it just me or have the results been more crazy without the crowds????
Yes, they have.
And that’s 2.
Watkins again.
Great play too.
Big fat dogs hairy cocks!!!!
YEEESSSSS!!!!!
Can anyone else sense that the comms just don’t like it when the usuals are getting beat?
Salah gets one back.
Been coming for a while, tbh.
OMG!!!!!!!!!
Barkley should have pulled that back,
Deflection gets us a third!
McGinn.
3-1 ha ha
Fair play, Targett’s playing bloody well today.
Watkins for a hat trick.
4-1.
Now really stick it up them!
VAR says it’s good, ha ha
OMG!!!!!!!!! What the EFF is going on!!!!
Smith’s got this spot on.
I asked that we get at them and we have.
The midfield haven’t given them chance to breathe.
Just need to be careful down our right, as we look vulnerable.
Otherwise, superb.
When you think Barkley missed a sitter and has had two decent chances too, well….
Game going just like I expected 😏 Before game we commented on when Villa beat them 5-1 when they were champions! I’d settle for 4-1 though.😀
🙂
Barkley deflection. again. 5-1
My sides are splitting
I think I’ve just pooped my pants…
Wake me up in half an hour or so…