The soccer calendar for the top Premier League teams is getting tougher as they are consistently having to play midweek fixtures in addition to the Premier League. As a result, teams that have to play multiple competitions at once like the Big Six teams in England can struggle to maintain their peak performance from week to week. Arsenal and Manchester City, for example, have dropped both their last Premier League and last Champions League game this week.
One team that is showing no signs of slowing down, however, is Liverpool. Despite having less depth than its rivals, the Reds have been dominant in all competitions. They are first place in the Premier League and the Champions League, while winning both rounds in the Carabao Cup to make the quarter-finals. In 16 games this season, they have won 14 and drawn one. It is safe to say that they have been one of the two best teams in Europe so far, along with Barcelona.
They are coming off an impressive 4-0 win over their former club legend Xabi Alonso’s side, Bayer Leverkusen. Liverpool overwhelmed the German champions in all aspects of the game, securing their third straight clean sheet in the Champions League.
Now, the Merseyside side is back to the domestic league to face another tough opponent. Aston Villa, currently in sixth place, has been a thorn on every contender’s side over the last few years.
The Birmingham side is coming off a disappointing 1-0 loss to Club Brugge on Wednesday. Unai Emery’s side has failed to win its last two Premier League matches either, suggesting that the busy schedule may be taking its toll on Villa.
