Football tips: Phil Thompson’s 8/1 punt for Aston Villa v Liverpool tonight

* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.

Phil Thompson has teamed up with the good folk at PPTV to take a look at the Covid and injury ravaged Aston Villa and Liverpool teams ahead of their meeting in the FA Cup tonight.

Villa have closed their training ground after a Covid outbreak and will have to field an under 23s side with the whole first team and their coaching staff now in isolation.

With respect to Aston Villa, that age group doesn’t exactly appear to be a golden generation and the official under 23s sides they fielded in this year’s EFL trophy lost all three of their group games to Sunderland, Fleetwood and Carlisle by a combined aggregate of 14-2. Good luck against the champions, lads!

On the other hand, it’s anyone’s guess who will start for Liverpool who have been badly hit with injuries as the games continue to pile up for the Champions. Thommo is expecting some power going forward – but it’s at the back where the Kop need to strengthen.

Speaking before the news of Villa’s massive Covid outbreak, Thommo told PPTV: “Liverpool have got midfield players who need games and I think it will be a very young back four. Rhys Williams might start with Neco Williams playing at right-back, maybe James Milner playing at left-back.

Friday 7.45pm: Aston Villa v Liverpool
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“Then you’ve got a whole host of attacking and midfield players, Divock Origi, Takumi Minamino, I’m not sure if Naby Keita will be fit enough, Xherdan Shaqiri, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Thiago – they all need games.

“It’ll be top-loaded up front and in midfield so you just hope there’s enough strength in there to protect the back four.”

THOMMO’S TIP: In terms of a goal scorer and for an outside bet, I’m going for James Milner to Score Anytime. He’s got a chance from free-kicks and certainly from penalties on Friday night.

* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.

Thommo’s Tip

James Milner to Score Anytime

More tips this weekend

• Four big-value FA Cup shocks on the cards this weekend
  
• Paddy’s 8/1 Friday treble featuring Bayern, Wolves and Villarreal
  
• Our fab 23/1 5 fold acca for the FA Cup 3rd round

More from Thommo

• Phil Thompson: England captaincy snub really hurt – it was a Sunday league decision!
  
• Phil Thompson: Steven Gerrard is obvious successor at Liverpool, but I fear life after Jurgen Klopp
  
• Phil Thompson: Van Dijk is incredible – but he’s not the best Liverpool defender ever

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