Aston Villa restart their stuttering Premier League campaign as they host struggling Liverpool on Boxing Day, with both sides keen to push on from disappointing season starts.
The Villians have won both of their league games under new boss Unai Emery to propel them clear of the relegation zone and into 12th place, but face a Liverpool side desperate to return to the top 4, with Jurgen Klopp’s side set to restart the season seven points behind fourth-placed Tottenham.
Read on for all the latest team news from the Villa camp, and how we expect them to line up.
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Predicted XI
Team News:
Villa will be without Emiliano Martinez, who is still on holiday after starring in Argentina’s World Cup win in Qatar. Robin Olsen will almost certainly start in his place.
Unai Emery confirmed that “the idea is to start with Olsen; he is here to replace Emiliano or to compete with him. He has a small problem, but I think he is going to train tomorrow as normal, and if nothing changes, he is going to be ready on Monday.”
However, they will be without young starlet Jacob Ramsay for the festive period. The midfielder picked up a knock during the World Cup break, and has only just returned to training.
Diego Carlos also remains on the treatment table after suffering an injury that required surgery in August, while Philippe Coutinho faces a late fitness test to make the squad for the game against his former club.
