Liverpool vs 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.Aston Villa travel to Liverpool unbeaten in three at Anfield and without a loss yet this season. Paul Lambert’s men were hotly tipped for another difficult season, but are currently defying the odds and flying high in third place.
New loan signing Tom Cleverly’s move to Villa Park has provoked a range of reaction from the fans, but the majority will be delighted with the news that Gabby Agbonlahor has signed a new contact. Agbonlahor will likely be partnered in attack by Austrian international Andres Weimann, and the pace the pair possess will cause Liverpool’s backline a few problems come Saturday.
Liverpool meanwhile will be rueing the news that striker Daniel Sturridge returns from international duty nursing a thigh injury. A home debut for Mario Balotelli is likely, the iconic Italian looking for his first goal for the Reds after squandering a golden chance against Spurs. Brendon Rogers’ side have made a positive start to the season thus far, finding themselves in 5 position. Aston Villa are not a team they can afford to show any complacency against though, and Rogers will be priming his team to deal with the threat the Villians’ front line poses.
A win for Villa could see them reach the summit of the league, while Liverpool could break into the top two with three points.
KICK-OFF: Saturday, 5:30pm
PAST THREE MEETINGS…
Liverpool 2 (Sturridge, Gerrard) Aston Villa 2 (Weimann Benteke), Premier League, January 2014
Aston Villa 0 Liverpool 1 (Sturridge), FA Cup, August 2013
Aston Villa 1 (Benteke) Liverpool 2 (Henderson, Gerrard), Premier League, March 2013
STATS…
Christian Benteke has scored four goals in his last four games against Liverpool.
Liverpool have failed to beat Villa in their last three games at Anfield, but have won 61% of their home games against Villa.
Andres Weimann and Raheem Stirling lead the scoring charts for their respective sides, each on two.
ODDS…
Liverpool to win: 1.31
Aston Villa to win: 12.5
Draw: 6.2
CLASSIC MOMENT/MATCH
TV: Live on Sky Sports 1 at 5:30pm, highlights on BBC1 at 10.50pm.
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