English Premier League
December 6, 2010: In Monday night Premier League, we have Liverpool hosting Aston Villa at Anfield. Liverpool are searching for consistency in their season as they have won points against the biggest teams and dropped them against the weakest.
Venue: Anfield, Liverpool
Time: 2000 hrs GMT
Referee: Phil Dowd
Last weekend’s 2-1 loss against Tottenham Hotspur should have been bit a little bit more than ordinary because there was a resurgence in the Liverpool team in the second half. They must be hoping for a little bit of the same when they meet Aston Villa. Also, the midweek draw against Steaua Bucharest which lifted them into the last 32 of the Europa League has overjoyed the Liverpudlians. They must hope to continue the momentum because at the moment, they sit at a measly 12th position in the league table with 19 points from 15 matches.
Aston Villa’s 3-1 victory at Anfield last season was their first win away at Reds in nine years in which they played 17 competitive matches.. Villa have won only one match away all season. Out of their last nine Premier League fixtures, Villa have won only one. They currently sit at the 15th position in the league table, only avoiding the relegation zone by two points. They must look to improve the performances of key players like Agbonlahor who returns for this match, Ashley Young and Robert Pires as they are the striking powers Villa must look to unleash. For a team with European ambitions, much needs to be done right now.
This match marks the return of Gerard Houlier at his old club Liverpool. The present Aston Villa manager, who took over Aston Villa early in this season, will feel much at home at Anfield where he was manager for six years until 2004. He won five major trophies in his time with the club.
Liverpool will be without injured captain Steven Gerrard who has still not fully recovered. He might be back for the next game. Jamie Carragher is also not available for the Reds. Players rested in midweek, which include Dirk Kuyt, Raul Meireles and Fernando Torres should be able to start this game for the home side. Joe Cole, who is fit now, might also find the place in the starting line up.
The Aston Villa side will be without the services of Marc Albrighton, Steve Sidwell, Stiliyan Petrov, Andreas Weimann and Fabian Delph. Emile Heskey and Nigel Reo-Coker might play if they pass a late fitness test.
In a must win match for both sides, it is anybody’s guess as to which of them will take the 3 points.
