Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins has fired a warning shot across Liverpool's bows ahead of Friday's blockbuster Premier League clash at Villa Park, insisting his side will make it "difficult" for the Reds. The comments come as Arne Slot's men prepare for what promises to be a tense encounter under the floodlights.

Liverpool head into the game on the back of a frustrating 1-1 draw with Chelsea, a result that saw Anfield's frustration boil over after another passive display. The Reds started brightly but faded, leaving fans concerned about the team's current form. Villa, meanwhile, remain firmly in the Champions League hunt after a spirited 2-2 comeback away at Burnley on Sunday.

Speaking after that draw, Watkins didn't hold back. "We're back at Villa Park against Liverpool, we always do well there, so it's going to be difficult for them," the England international declared. He doubled down on that confidence, adding: "We always make it difficult for them, and it's going to be an enjoyable last home game of the season."

Those words will do little to calm Liverpool supporters already on edge. The warning comes hot on the heels of Chelsea's Levi Colwill claiming the Blues deserved all three points at Anfield, while Burnley's Calum McFarlane openly admitted his side had targeted Curtis Jones' unfamiliar right-back role. It's clear that opposition teams believe Liverpool can be exposed right now.

But here's the twist: despite Villa's resurgence under Unai Emery, Liverpool's record at Villa Park is actually strong. The Reds have lost just one of their last 11 league visits there since 2011 and are unbeaten in their last five away games against Villa across all competitions. Historical form suggests they can handle the trip.

The real concern, however, is current form rather than past records. Liverpool's passive approach against Chelsea—both with and without the ball—has become a worrying trend. Fans will be hoping for a much sharper performance on Friday, because if Watkins and Villa have their way, it could be a long night in Birmingham.