A look ahead to todays Premier League fixture at Anfield with Line-ups and Predictions
Liverpool have the opportunity to create a gap between themselves and the rest of the top-four’s chasing pack when they take on an inconsistent Aston Villa side in the late Saturday game.
Manchester United and Tottenham both play on Sunday, while the Reds’ Merseyside rivals Everton do not feature until Monday. A win will take Liverpool four points clear in fourth place, as they look to solidify their status within the Champions League positions, before looking even higher at a potential title challenge.
The Reds have recovered well since their demoralising defeats to title-chasers Manchester City and Chelsea, winning three games on the bounce since.
This could be the game that Liverpool fans see Sturridge and Suarez back in tandem from the start of a match. The pair linked up for 25 minutes in the 5-3 win against Stoke when Sturridge came off the bench, scoring after Suarez had slotted twice.
Aston Villa’s recent win away at Sunderland and their positive performance against Arsenal this past Monday night, seems to have lifted the pressure on Paul Lambert and they find themselves in a relatively healthy, 11 place.
Christian Benteke finally ended his goal drought against Arsenal and will be eager to build on his three goals in his three previous games against Liverpool.
PAST THREE MEETINGS:
Aston Villa 0 Liverpool 1 (Sturridge), Premier League, August 2013
Aston Villa 1 (Benteke) Liverpool 2 (Henderson, Gerrard), Premier League, March 2013
Liverpool 1 (Gerrard) Aston Villa 3 (Benteke, Weimann), Premier League, December 2012
STATS:
In the last three times the sides have met, the away team has won
Christian Benteke has scored three goals in his last three games against Liverpool
Aston Villa have only won once in their last seven Premier League games
LINE-UPS
LIVERPOOL: (Possible, 3-4-1- 2): Mignolet; Johnson, Skrtel, Touré; Sterling, Gerrard, Lucas, Henderson; Coutinho; Sturridge, Suárez.
Out:, Agger (calf), Coates, Enrique (both knee), Flanagan (hamstring).
ASTON VILLA:(Possible, 4-3-3): Guzan; Lowton, Vlaar, Clark, Bertrand; Bacuna, Westwood, Weimann; Benteke, Holt, Agbonlahor.
Out: Baker (concussion), Bennett (back), Herd (hamstring), Kozak (broken leg), Okoré (knee).
PREDICTION:
Liverpool 3-1 Aston Villa
Liverpool will look to avenge the disappointing loss against Villa in this fixture last season and the likes of Suarez, Sturridge and co. will be licking their lips at the prospect of playing against Aston Villa. A goal fest cannot be ruled out, and if Aston Villa manages to get on the score-sheet pretty early, one can expect a thrilling encounter between these two sides with rich history and tradition.
Written by Steve Milne – What are your predictions for this match – Have your say below 🙂
