‘I think’ – Jamie Carragher predicts the winner of Liverpool v Aston Villa PL clash on Saturday | OneFootball

Liverpool lock horns with Aston Villa in a crucial Premier League clash this Saturday with the Villains still reeling from a bizarre European defeat.

While Arne Slot’s Liverpool dismantled Bayer Leverkusen 4-0 mid-week, Unai Emery’s Aston Villa were stunned by Club Brugge, who snatched victory courtesy of a comical penalty.

“Liverpool have the advantage of rest and current form,” declared former Reds defender-turned-pundit Jamie Carragher (via Super 6). “Given their momentum, I expect them to edge this one.”

Slot continues to impress. Luis Diaz’s hat-trick spearheaded the destruction of Leverkusen, while Cody Gakpo opened his Champions League account. This dominant display propelled Liverpool to the top of the Champions League table, where they remain the only unbeaten team.

They also hold a two-point lead over reigning champions Manchester City in the Premier League and will be eager to keep that gap open after this weekend. They have won eight out of ten league games, with their only loss against Nottingham Forest.

Meanwhile, Villa’s European dream suffered a setback. An error at the back and a soft penalty gifted Club Brugge victory. They have now lost three on the bounce in all competitions and are winless in four.

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

Liverpool will be without Harvey Elliott, Federico Chiesa, Alisson Becker, and Diogo Jota. Slot might rotate his squad, with Darwin Nunez expected to replace Diaz in the starting line-up. Off-form Andrew Robertson could come back into the XI for Kostas Tsimikas.

For Villa, Matty Cash and Ross Barkley remain doubtful, while Tyrone Mings is expected to be dropped as they continue to manage his return from an ACL injury.

Pau Torres could slot into the vacated defensive position, with Amadou Onana and Jacob Ramsey pushing for starts.