Saturday 1 November 2025, 20:00, Anfield — Live on TNT Sports
A lively Anfield under the lights meets an Aston Villa side brimming with belief, and the stakes feel bigger than three points. Liverpool’s attacking rhythm remains dangerous, but defensive slips have crept in, while Unai Emery’s well-drilled Villa are pressing with purpose and breaking with venom. It sets up a high-tempo contest where chances at both ends look more likely than not.
Form & tactical picture
Arne Slot’s men still move the ball quickly through midfield and create volume in the box, yet their control without the ball has wavered: space between the lines and set-piece marking have both been problem areas. Villa, meanwhile, are timing their presses intelligently—inviting the pass into midfield before pouncing—and they transition wide with speed, dragging centre-backs into awkward channels. If Liverpool overcommit their full-backs, Ollie Watkins’ diagonal runs and John McGinn’s late arrivals can hurt them.
Set pieces could be pivotal. Villa’s delivery has been consistently threatening and Liverpool have conceded too many second phases recently. Conversely, Liverpool’s best route may be quick combinations around the corner of the box; Mohamed Salah cutting inside and Isak attacking the front post remain constant threats against any back line.
Betting angles
1) Aston Villa Double Chance (Win or Draw) — 11/10
Liverpool’s aura at Anfield is real, but Villa’s structure, rest advantage and set-piece edge give them a live chance of a result. The price makes sense for a safety-first angle that still opposes the odds-on hosts.
2) Both Teams To Score & Over 2.5 Goals — 10/11
Liverpool create enough to score in almost any game; Villa’s counter and set-piece threat should ensure they contribute. The game state tilts towards trading goals rather than a cagey midfield battle.
3) Ollie Watkins to Score or Assist — 6/4
Watkins is central to everything Villa do in transition and in the box. Even if he’s tightly marshalled, his lay-offs and cut-backs keep the assist live.
Correct score lean: Liverpool 1-2 Aston Villa (11/1)
If Villa convert one of their transition chances and nick a set piece, the path to a narrow away win is there—even allowing for a Liverpool goal.
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