Emery dealing with three injuries for Merseyside trip: Aston Villa Predicted XI v Liverpool

Aston Villa face a tough test of their top-four credentials when they visit Premier League leaders Liverpool later today.

The Villains are stuck in a rut with no wins in their last four games in all competitions and three losses on the bounce.

It started with a 1-1 draw against Bournemouth at Villa Park before they were knocked out of the League Cup by Crystal Palace.

A shocking 4-1 loss to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League and another farcical one in the Champions League leaves Unai Emery’s side desperate for a win today.

Speaking ahead of the game, Emery said (AVFC.co.uk): “We are increasing our level and demanding more, progressively, until now to try and keep being consistent in the top positions.

“There are another seven teams that we have to be more intelligent than and more competitive.

“Tomorrow, we are going to play against Liverpool, and in two years, we are competing well against them, but they are always in front of us.

“The idea is to see how our level is compared to them and see our capacity to face them.”

Villa need a rousing performance against the Reds. However, the record books make for grim reading for the Villa faithful.

Villa haven’t beaten a top-two Premier League side away in nearly 25 years. Their winless run against Liverpool stretches to eight games.

Emery will be without a few key players due to injury, but he is expected to field a strong XI.

Aston Villa Predicted XI

(4-2-3-1): Emiliano Martinez; Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, Diego Carlos, Lucas Digne; Amadou Onana, Youri Tielemans; John McGinn, Morgan Rogers, Jacob Ramsey; Ollie Watkins.