What: English Premier League
Who: Liverpool vs Aston Villa
When: Saturday 18th January, 2014, at 17:30 UK Time
Where: Anfield, Liverpool, England
Brendan Rodgers Sees Progress
Liverpool look to continue their winning ways as they play host to Aston Villa at Anfield today. Brendan Rodgers’ side came away with 5-3 victory at Stoke last weekend, which will boost their confidence for this game. In a see-saw match, defensive mistakes cost the Reds, but once again their attacking intent and the fantastic form of Luis Suarez saw Liverpool take three points.
Liverpool had never won a Premier League game at Stoke and Rodgers was full of praise for his charges. “It was a brilliant win, Liverpool had never won here in the Premier League and we all know why, it's a notoriously difficult place to play, but I want to give immense credit to the players”, he said. After defeats at Manchester City and Chelsea over the festive period, Liverpool have bounced back with consecutive league victories.
While the Reds are still outside bets for the title, the mere fact that they are even in the conversation represents serious progress from last season. A Champions League place is certainly within their grasp and judging by how the league table is shaping up, missing out on a top four spot would be considered a failure at this point.
Aston Villa Show Paul Lambert Support
It may not have been exactly the dreaded vote of confidence which in many cases spells a manager’s imminent demise, but the show of support from Aston Villa chief executive Paul Faulkner this week should be something of a warning to Paul Lambert. The Villa boss is in the midst of another difficult patch with his side having won only one of their last eight matches.
Aston Villa did not look poor in their match on Monday against Arsenal, which they lost 2-1. However, they made it hard on themselves conceding twice in two minutes against the league leaders. The second-half fight back the team produced may have been admirable, but there was a sense of inevitability that they would fall short once again. The team have won only twice in the league at home all season, a very worrying statistic for the club.
Lambert has been promised funds in January to bring more quality and experience into the squad in order to avoid another relegation battle. The first order of business has been completed with Grant Holt coming over from Wigan on a loan deal. That won’t exactly be sending the Villa Park faithful into raptures, but following it up with another loan capture, that of Ryan Bertrand from Chelsea, has given an extra boost to the Midlands giants.
Recent form
Liverpool:
Liverpool 2-0 Hull (01/01; Premier League)
Liverpool 2-0 Oldham (05/01; FA Cup)
Stoke 3-5 Liverpool (12/01; Premier League)
Aston Villa:
Sunderland 0-1 Aston Villa (01/01; Premier League)
Aston Villa 1-2 Sheffield United (04/01; FA Cup)
Aston Villa 1-2 Arsenal (13/01; Premier League)
Key absences
Liverpool: Brad Jones; Daniel Agger; Jon Flanagan; Jose Enrique
Aston Villa: Nathan Baker; Libor Kozak; Chris Herd; Jores Okore
Players to watch
Liverpool – Daniel Sturridge: Injuries have restricted the 24-year-old to only 15 appearances this season. However, Sturridge has picked up where he left off last season having scored 12 times in those matches. He marked his return from an injury layoff last week with a goal a few minutes from time as Liverpool defeated Stoke. Along with Suarez, the England international is now part of the most lethal attacking duo in the Premier League.
Aston Villa – Grant Holt: It may not be the dream signing Aston Villa fans were hoping for, but the 32-year-old’s loan deal serves a vital purpose for the club. Kozak’s season-ending injury has left Lambert with a shortage of attacking options and he knows Holt well from his time at Norwich. Both sides will be the hoping the deal will be mutually beneficial. Holt must rediscover form if he is to make an impact at Villa Park; in 19 appearances for Wigan this season he has produced a paltry two goals.
Match Prediction
Liverpool will be favourites to stroll to victory in the Premier League’s late kick-off. The Reds have been superb at home this season having won nine of ten matches. Anfield is quickly becoming a fortress once again for Liverpool and Aston Villa will certainly have their work cut out for them. Villa can point to a positive away record this season though and the make-up of the squad and playing style tends to lend itself more to the characteristics of an away side. Expect Liverpool to come through this match, though it may not end up being as comfortable as some would suggest. Liverpool 3-1 Aston Villa.
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