Aston Villa will be able to take a much-welcomed break from the Premier League when they take on Liverpool in the Carabao Cup at Villa Park this evening.
Villa’s form has been poor of late so the cup will be a much-needed break but the game doesn’t carry the excitement a League Cup quarter-final should do. Despite Villa’s history in the competition, most Villa fans would take Premier League survival over a cup win.
Then you have Liverpool’s situation. Their first team are away at the World Club Cup so a younger side is expected to play instead. Which kind of makes it a no-win situation for Villa. They win, then so they should. They lose and it will be dramatised massively by both our fans and the media despite the fact Dean Smith will also field a weaker side. Sky even advertised the game last night as a ‘Very weakened Liverpool side take on Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup tomorrow night’.
TEAM NEWS
Dean Smith is expected to rest the likes of Jack Grealish and John McGinn. As I have already touched upon, we look tired and jaded.
Conor Hourihane will be assessed and could get a run out after missing out at the weekend in the defeat to Sheffield United.
Rhian Brewster will be assessed for Liverpool before the game. The 19-year-old picked up an injury in training and is a doubt.
Curtis Jones and Neco Williams were originally named in the squad but has since joined the senior team in Qatar.
HEAD TO HEAD
OTHER INFORMATION
Kick-off: 19.45
Tickets: Available at £20-£33
Matchday Guide: avfc.co.uk
