After an impressive performance away from home against Burnley, Aston Villa welcome a whole new challenge against title-chasing Liverpool to Villa Park; the first time in the league since ‘that’ game. The Reds will be keen to get their title challenge back on track after dropping points to Tottenham Hotspurs.
I spoke to Scouse Republic about Liverpoolβs busy schedule, priorities and the breath of fresh air provided by Luis Diaz.
UTV PODCAST X SCOUSE REPUBLIC
Liverpool come into the game playing every single game that they physically could have done, are you worried that this could effect the last part of your season with fatigue settling in?
I think Jurgen has been utilising the squad very well, and itβs been great to see us able to field a so called weakened team and have such a strong bench. I think there are too many positives that will carry the lads through any fatigue, and as the players have said themselves, they all want to play every game.
Scouse Republic
After Liverpool dropped points on Saturday, do you think that the title race is now over and will attentions now turn to Real Madrid in the Champions League Final?
From a personal view, and Iβm sure itβs a view the whole squad will share, is no. Itβs not over. Weβve just gone from needing City to drop points, to needing them to lose. And I honestly think they will. Iβm hoping their shock defeat in the CL and the loss to us at Wembley sets them up for a fall and morale is at a low. Itβs not been in our hands since the turn of the year and the fact weβre still in with a shout shows how hard the lads have worked, and whatever happens, the proper supporters will be beaming with pride come the end of the season. Itβs been one hell of a rollercoaster. One game at a time.
Scouse Republic
In January, Liverpool bought in Columbian Luis Diaz for approximately Β£45 million, how good has he been since heβs come in?
Luis Diaz, what can I say, the lads special. Plays with a smile, is a joy to watch, busts a gut for the team and stays on his feet. Everything you want in a silky player, and the talent talks for itself. Heβll go down as one of the greats if he remains at the club under Jurgens time.
Scouse Republic
Finally, what are your score predictions?
Villa, was a horrible tactical effort from Stevie at Anfield, done his all to rile the crowd. Wasting time, going down injured etc. was delighted we ended up getting the penalty or it couldβve been a nightmare. Iβm expecting very similar again, and it is a bit of a concern because it seems 90% of our opponents donβt want to play football and just turn up to survive, and in short spells during the season we do sometimes find difficulty breaking that style down. Expect a tough game, but think weβll get the win. 2-0 Liverpool
Scouse Republic
PODCAST | MATCH PREVIEW
FORM GUIDE
THE LAST THREE
PREMIER LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD
MY PREDICTION
Villa come into the game after back to back wins but itβs important to note that those wins were against Norwich and Burnley who are fighting relegation and we are coming up against title challengers Liverpool. As well as this, I think Liverpool will be really up for this game as they wonβt want to drop any more points in their race for the trophy. Itβs hard to predict a Villa win for this one but I do think it will be close so Iβm going for a 3-2 loss with Ings continuing his impressive form and Buendia building on his impressive performance on the weekend.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Jonathan Moss. Assistants: Lee Betts, Timothy Wood. Fourth official: Andy Madley. VAR: John Brooks. Assistant VAR: James Mainwaring
PLAYED FOR BOTH
A long list of players have represented both Aston Villa and Liverpool including the likes of James Milner, David James, Emile Heskey and Stewart Downing.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | DAZZLING DIAZ
There was no doubt about who I wanted to focus on when I sat down to write this article. Luis Diaz has come into this Liverpool side and took it by storm acting like he had been in the squad for years. He has to be up there with one of the most entertaining footballers to watch in the Premier League and I want to take a closer look at the career of the skilful Columbian.
Diaz started his footballing career for Columbian side Baranquilla in 2016. During his first season at Baranquilla, Diaz scored three goals. Whilst playing for this club Diaz suffered from malnutrition and had to go on a diet plan to gain 10kg. This shows that Diaz had to work for what he has and he wasnβt just given anything. He was then promoted to the first team where he took the league by storm.
Diazβs performance up to that point had caught the attention of a number of European football clubs such as Zenit Saint Petersburg. Diaz even signed a pre contract agreement with Cardiff City but the move never materialised. On the 10th of July 2019 Diaz got his move to Europe with Porto after being persuaded to pick the Portuguese club by fellow countrymen Ramadel Falcao and James Rodriguez.
Diaz got off to a dream start scoring in his second game both in Europe and domestically but the dream start soon turned sour as in November, Diaz was suspended after being caught partying before a big derby game along with three other teammates. Things soon got back on track as Diaz went on to make 50 appearances that season scoring 14 goals as well as clinching the league title and winning the cup. In the final of that cup, Diaz was sent off after 38 minutes. In the November of 2021, Diaz won consecutive player of the months in October and November in his breakthrough season. It was that January which saw Diaz make the move to Liverpool for around Β£45 million.
Tottenham Hotspur weβre also trying to sign Diaz but the Colombian saw Liverpool as the more attractive offer and so signed a five year contract at Anfield. Diaz made his debut against Cardiff City, who he had almost signed for, in the FA Cup where he picked up his first assist for the club. Diaz picked up his first goal for the club in only his second start against Norwich City.
The way that Diaz has seemingly transitioned into the Premier League effortlessly tells me that Liverpool have found a gem and he will be very successful in the Premier League and will be entertaining football fans for years to come in a red shirt.
LAST TIME OUT AT VILLA PARK
FAN REPORT | Aston Villa 7-2 Liverpool | Adam Holt (utvpodcast.co.uk)
ELLIS BURNETT | UTV PODCAST
Author’s UTV PODCAST archive ellisburnett – UTV Podcast | An Aston Villa Blog
UTV PODCAST | LATEST NEWS
Check out the latest news from the UTV Podcast camp.
Remember, this is a channel built by fans for the fans. It’s a platform for anyone to come on and have their say – if it’s joining us on a Fan Reaction show or getting involved in our written work like Fan Reports, Fan Stories, Player Focus and the popular Player Ratings or have your question answered on our Preview shows – it is open to all.
It’s a super chilled platform, so drop us a message or use our contact page.
FACEBOOK | UTV PODCAST AN ASTON VILLA BLOG
Tap the icon button to join our Facebook page for instant notifications of all the website releases.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook and Twitter readers, click the respective icon below to follow our utvpodcast social media accounts.
In association with #HerGameToo
#Hergame Too is a campaign set up to raise awareness for the sexism that is prevalent in football, as well as supporting, empowering, and creating opportunities for females involved in the game. The #HerGameToo team are made up of twelve football fans that represent an array of teams across the country, including some that work in the industry who have experienced some sexism in their everyday work. They actively encourage people to speak out about their experiences, whether it be to #HerGameToo, friends or family, or the football clubs involved. We must acknowledge that football has come a long way from the issues that existed historically, however there is still a long way to go.
#HerGameToo are doing great work on understanding and removing misogyny in the men’s game, and are continuing to develop their campaign to make it the most inclusive and accessible it can be. Elevating hard-hitting stories, data and new voices is helping to spread their message loud and clear.
If you would like to show your support for #HerGameToo, you can help by calling out any misogynistic comments you hear or see and give them a follow on any of their socials.
W: http://hergametoo.co.uk T: @HerGameToo I: @HerGameToo F: @HerGameToo
