Liverpool v Aston Villa: Premier League match preview
A look ahead to this weekend's Premier League fixture at Anfield
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Your support makes all the difference.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.
KICK-OFF: Saturday, 5.30pm
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
ODDS:
Liverpool to win: 1.20
Aston Villa to win: 13.00
Draw: 6.50
TV: Live on Sky Sports 1 at 5.30pm, Highlights on BBC1 at 10.20pm
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