Aston Villa return to Premier League action on Saturday night as Unai Emery’s side take on Liverpool at Anfield.

The Red currently lead the Premier League and the Champions League league phase table after Arne Slot’s impressive impact since taking over from Jurgen Klopp in the summer. Villa lost 1-0 to Club Brugge on Wednesday, leaving Liverpool as the only team who have won all four of their Champions League matches.

Villa lost in Belgium in bizarre circumstances as Tyrone Mings picked the ball up inside the box unaware that it was in play after Emi Martinez took the goal kick. Brugge captain Hans Vanaken then converted the penalty and there was no response from Villa, who fell to their third defeat on the spin in all competitions.

Villa were heavily beaten 4-1 by Tottenham last weekend and are in need of a positive result after also losing to Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup last week after dropping two points at home against Bournemouth.

Emery made five changes to the starting XI to take on Brugge as Diego Carlos, Tyrone Mings, Ian Maatsen, Boubacar Kamara and Leon Bailey all started. Lucas Digne and Pau Torres should both come back into the defence which will also likely feature Ezri Konsa and Carlos.

Emery faces a big decision in midfield as Amadou Onana didn’t play a single minute against Brugge, but Kamara was arguably Villa’s best player on Wednesday and is looking sharp after recovering from injury. Youri Tielemans, meanwhile, won’t lose his place in the side, but perhaps Emery will alter his role to start all three midfielders.

Tielemans could play with a bit more freedom ahead of the double pivot, while Leon Bailey keeps his width on the right. Morgan Rogers will support Ollie Watkins in attack, leaving Jhon Duran in reserve..

Aston Villa predicted XI vs Liverpool: Martinez, Konsa, Carlos, Pau, Digne, Kamara, Onana, Bailey, Tielemans, Rogers, Watkins.

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