Streakers: Liverpool v Aston Villa preview and team news

Two of the most consistent Premier League teams put their form to the test in a late kick-off at Anfield on Saturday

Premier League champions Liverpool have found themselves in a spot of bother, losing four league matches in a row after what looked, on paper, a good start to their title defence.

Aston Villa have dragged themselves up the table with four Premier League wins on the bounce after what looked, on paper and in reality, a highly shonky start to 2025/26.

Both streaks will be on the line at Anfield on Saturday and more of the same would suit Villa just fine, thank you very much.

Just as it was last season, this is a rare 8.00pm Saturday kick-off.

It’s the day’s TNT Sports pick but can’t be played at 12.30pm because there’s a big event at the Hill Dickinson Stadium – apparently rugby league has an Ashes – in the afternoon.

The late Saturday slot is the next available to TNT Sports and it can’t be played on Sunday because Liverpool have a Champions League match against Real Madrid on Tuesday, so here we are.