After an outbreak of COVID-19 within the first-team squad- forcing the training ground to be shut– Aston Villa will play their U23s side in the FA Cup against Liverpool– according to John Percy of the Telegraph.
The news of the outbreak will also see manager Dean Smith miss out. Instead, it will be the U23s’ boss, Mark Delaney, who takes charge.
The news could also see Jurgen Klopp make further changes than planned. Originally, the likes of Takumi Minamino, Xherdan Shaqiri, and Divock Origi could have expected starts. Now, the Liverpool team could involve the addition of several academy players.
Villa to Play U23s Against Liverpool
Deja Vu
The news that Aston Villa will be left with no choice but to field the U23s comes just after a year on from when Liverpool were forced to do the same at Villa Park.
Whilst the first team attempted Club World Cup glory in Qatar, the U23s were left to play against Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals. Just over a year on, and the tables have turned.
This time, it is Dean Smith’s side forced to field the inexperienced youth against the Premier League champions.
The game presents a chance of revenge for Jurgen Klopp, who watched on from Qatar last season as his youth side were demolished 5-0 before his strongest team were embarrassed 7-2 in the Premier League earlier this season.
The pressure will be on the Reds to go through with ease. With painful memories of recent trips to Villa Park in mind, the Liverpool players will be desperate to avoid more despair.
It has to be said, should Jurgen Klopp’s side fail to come away with the victory, it will be one of the biggest upsets of the season. To lose to Villa 7-2 was shameful enough; losing to their youth side would leave the Liverpool side more embarrassed than ever.
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