Aston Villa are in a dire situation coming into tonight’s FA Cup clash with Premier League leaders Liverpool. After a Covid-19 outbreak in the club, Villa manager Dean Smith was left with no choice but to pick players from a combination of the Under-18 and Under-23 squads. Seven players coming from the Under-23 squad and 4 from the Under-18s.
This lack of experience and play time has lead to one of the most stats of the season. According to Richard Jolly, Aston Villa’s starting XI tonight have made more appearances for Exeter than for Villa. Exeter are a club that play in League 2, the 4th tier of English football and a side that currently sit in 10th in their division.
This hasn’t stopped Jurgen Klopp from naming an incredibly strong side with both Mane and Salah starting up front with Fabinho, Wijnaldum and Henderson all making an appearance.
Aston Villa's starting 11 have made five more appearances for Exeter than for Aston Villa's first team. https://t.co/fAKngUIAvC
— Richard Jolly (@RichJolly) January 8, 2021
Here’s the #lfc team to face Aston Villa at Villa Park tonight.
What do you make of the XI? 👇 pic.twitter.com/E5VWS3sl1S
— Anfield Watch (@AnfieldWatch) January 8, 2021
What do you think the score will be?