Aston Villa vs Liverpool Betting Tips and Stats

Dominik Szoboszlai has been the standout performer for Liverpool in my eyes this season, but it’s not just his work with the ball at his feet that deserves credit. The Hungarian midfielder is integral to the Liverpool press; he’s front-footed, aggressive, and fouls are a given when playing in that way.

Only Cody Gakpo has committed more fouls in the Premier League for Liverpool than Szoboszlai this season. He may only be averaging 1.12 fouls P/90, but he’s consistent, and recent form is even more impressive. Szoboszlai has committed a foul in each of his last four, committing two or more in three of those outings. He comes into this having committed five fouls in his last two against United and Chelsea; he was the catalyst for the press in both those games, that should be no different here.

The likes of Youri Tielemans and Douglas Luiz should provide the perfect foil in the Villa midfield here. The pair combine for 3.48 fouls drawn P/90, and are more than comfortable enough on the ball to help see this over the line.

With Liverpool’s entire midfield trio being credible options for fouls in their own right, you just have to look at Villa fouls drawn here, and there’s one name that stands out. Youri Tielemans has been impressive since his return from injury in March, and at the heart of midfield there’s no doubt he’ll be involved in duels galore.

Tielemans comes into this having drawn four fouls against Burnley last week, a performance that’s extended a solid run in this market of late. The Belgian has now drawn at least two fouls in each of his last five Premier League outings, and a ridiculous average of 1.95 fouls drawn P/90 shows that that run is no fluke, he’s consistent.

Classy on the ball and comfortable in tight areas, Tielemans has what he needs to bait challenges from what I expect to be a frantic Liverpool press. Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, and Mac Allister combine for 3.43 fouls P/90 in the Premier League, and they committed a total of eight fouls between them against Chelsea last week. With Champions League qualification on the line here, expect them to go flying into challenges, with Tielemans on the end of them.

Mo Salah’s injury has paved the way for Jeremie Frimpong in recent weeks, and whilst it’s not quite clicked for the Dutch star as of yet, there are areas of his game to get excited about. Quick, direct, he can pose a threat on the right flank come Friday night.

Of all players currently available for Arne Slot, no player within the Liverpool squad can better Frimpong’s 1.84 fouls drawn P/90. Of course, minutes have been limited, but he comes into this game off the back of four fouls drawn against Chelsea, the third game in a row in which he’s drawn at least two, and that’s despite just two starts.

Frimpong is likely to start high and wide on the right here, and that should see him line up against Lucas Digne. The Frenchman has committed 11 fouls in his last five starts for Villa, and could well lack the pace to keep Frimpong at bay. Keep an eye on the likes of Buendia and Rogers as well here; one should start wide left and will be nipping at Frimpong’s heels when tracking back. They average 2.10 and 1.27 fouls P/90 respectively.