Unai Emery has confidently predicted his Aston Villa side will end his personal winless run against Liverpool on Boxing Day.
The Reds take on Villa in their first Premier League fixture since the World Cup, as they look to climb the table. Jurgen Klopp ’s side are currently in sixth place and seven points adrift of the top four spots with a game in hand.
Liverpool have already resumed their domestic campaign after the World Cup, but are yet to return to Premier League action. The Reds suffered a 3-2 defeat to Manchester City in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup on Thursday night.
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Klopp and Emery have been in opposing dugouts on several occasions during the German’s time as Liverpool manager. Emery has been in charge of Sevilla and Arsenal, and more recently Villarreal for the Champions League semi-final last season.
Looking ahead to another meeting against Klopp and Liverpool, Emery has issued a warning to the Reds. The Villa boss, who replaced Steven Gerrard in October, says he believes his side can beat the Reds on Boxing Day.
“I started playing against them in 2016 in the Europa League final during their first season with Jurgen Klopp. We won a very good match,” said Emery, in his press conference.
“Since then, I lost. I haven’t won again – sometimes a draw with Arsenal – but it’s always a very difficult match against them.
“They’re a difficult team with the amazing way they play. Last year, I played against them with Villarreal in the Champions League semi-finals and we lost two times.
“On Boxing Day, I think it’s going to be different. They started the league with some doubts; they have 22 points and we have 18.
“If we think we can win against them, we can be really close to them. If we get our best performance, I think we can do it. We will be with our fans in our stadium at Villa Park and I think it’s going to be a very special match.”
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