MatchThe opposition lowdown: Aston Villa

The view from Villa

John Townley, Aston Villa correspondent at Birmingham Live

On Villa's season so far...

Villa have given the perfect response to a shock 5-1 defeat at Newcastle on the opening weekend, with four wins on the bounce in all competitions. They put four past Everton and three past Burnley, while also beating Hibernian 8-0 on aggregate in their Europa Conference League play-off tie. Confidence is high in the Villa squad heading into the clash with Liverpool.

On Villa's summer transfer business...

Villa signed five players in the summer, and Moussa Diaby - who was the third player through the door - has hit the ground running. He has scored two goals in his first three Premier League games, and is making a real impression having joined from Bayer Leverkusen. Pau Torres is growing into his role in Emery's side, which is to progress possession from deep as a left-sided centre-back in a three. Youri Tielemans and Nicolo Zaniolo are yet to start for the club in the league, while Clement Lenglet joined on loan on deadline day.

On Villa's key dangermen...

Ollie Watkins and Diaby are the two main dangermen in Villa's ranks, but John McGinn plays a key role in how Villa attack and strike in transition. The Scot often receives the ball on the turn in the middle of the park and drives his teammates forward, like we saw for two of the three goals which Villa scored at Turf Moor last weekend.

On Villa's style of play...

Emery has implemented a back three, and will likely start Torres, Carlos and Konsa as the centre-backs, with Matty Cash and Lucas Digne playing as advanced wing-backs when in possession. Kamara and Luiz hold in a double pivot, while McGinn supports Diaby and Watkins in attack. Villa will look to counter Liverpool and keep compact when Klopp's side have the ball.

Recent form

Villa, like the Reds, have played three Premier League fixtures so far.

Emery's side were beaten 5-1 at Newcastle United on the opening day, before earning a 4-0 victory over Everton at Villa Park. And they made it back-to-back wins last weekend, securing a 3-1 success versus Burnley at Turf Moor.

Villa have also taken on Scottish Premiership outfit Hibernian in a Europa Conference League play-off, sealing an 8-0 aggregate result on Thursday evening.

Previous meeting

The Reds last welcomed Villa to Anfield for their final home game of the 2022-23 campaign.

It was Roberto Firmino's final Liverpool home appearance and the Brazilian netted the late equaliser in a 1-1 draw on Merseyside before waving goodbye to the Anfield faithful.

Stats

• Jürgen Klopp will manage Liverpool for the 300th time in the Premier League. He has won 187 games, with 69 draws and 43 defeats.
• Joe Gomez could play the 200th game of his senior career in all competitions.
• Liverpool have won nine of the last 11 league meetings between the two teams.

What they said

Unai Emery, Aston Villa head coach

"Liverpool is always very difficult to play against and win. Personally, I've played against Liverpool two years ago with Villarreal in the Champions League and we lost.

"Last year, we played them at home and we lost. In Anfield, we drew in a very competitive match. It was a key moment because we needed to add one point or three to have the possibility to be in Europe, and we did it.

"They were fighting and trying to get a top four position to be in the Champions League. That is the example I want to use."

He added: "We have to be very, very competitive. We have to face them trying to be close to them, individually, collectively and tactically.

"It's going to be very difficult. It's a very big challenge on Sunday because it's not only about the result but about how we are, how we can face them."