Liverpool vs. Aston Villa
Anfield
07/04/2012
3.00pm
Vital Preview: Liverpool vs. Aston Villa
Under fire Kenny Dalglish and his struggling Liverpool side return to action on Saturday with a home league fixture against Aston Villa. Much has been said and written over the past few weeks with the Reds slumping to six defeats in their last seven league fixtures. The sorry statistics show the club has only compiled 8 points from 12 league games played during 2012; their worse run since 1954. In the buildup to the visit of Villa, outspoken former player John Aldridge described Liverpool`s form as 'embarrassing' and 'shambolic' whereas a worried Roy Evans, Reds` manager during the mid 1990`s, openly appealed for the club to 'stick together'. With neighbours Everton now above the Anfield outfit in the league, the club desperately needs a return to form before the two sides do battle in an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley next weekend.
Saturday`s opponents Villa have not faired much better than Liverpool of late (picking up just 10 points in the same period). In fact only Wolverhampton Wanderers have faired worse (5 points) than these two sides during the current calendar year and relegation is becoming a distinct possibility for the Midlands based club. Fans who were already unhappy with manager Alex McLeish due to his links with city rivals Birmingham, now have even more cause for concern with the club sliding to 15th place in the table; only 5 points above the drop zone.
The outcome of this game therefore is essential for both of these supposed crisis ridden clubs.
Vital Quotes:
"Obviously there was a disappointment amongst everybody with the recent run of results, but the only way we're going to address that is to work as hard as we have done. We can change to our benefit things that are in our jurisdiction. There are other things that have happened that we can't change because they're out of our jurisdiction so there's no point looking at it. We just need to look at ourselves. The players have come in and been really determined, as they've always been, to get a positive result on Saturday." Liverpool boss Dalglish speaking at his pre-match press conference
"I never thought it was going to be easy this season. We have a lighter squad than Villa had this time last season. I knew from that point of view it was going to be a big challenge again. But I'm confident the players can rise to the challenge and make sure we are okay this season." Villa manager McLeish speaking at his pre-match press conference
Liverpool Team News:
First choice goalkeeper Pepe Reina is to serve the first of his 3 match ban following a red card during the 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United on Sunday. Brazilian international Alexander Doni is likely to deputise with Brad Jones stepping up to the bench. It is still unclear how long midfielder Charlie Adam will be absent for following a lateral ligament injury suffered against Queens Park Rangers recently. The Scot will definitely miss the next few matches however and youngster Jonjo Shelvey will be hoping to add to his two league starts against the Villians. Centre-back Daniel Agger remains doubtful with his rib injury which, given the amount of goals conceded of late, may mean Sebastian Coates getting the nod as Martin Skrtel`s partner in preference to Jamie Carragher. Craig Bellamy and Maxi Rodriguez both made comebacks to the matchday squad for the last game and will again be in contention for places. The right-back position remains in question as Glen Johnson and Martin Kelly both struggle for full fitness meaning 19-year-old Jon Flanagan may start his third consecutive game. Lucas Leiva is making good progress in his recovery from the serious anterior cruciate ligament injury picked up back in November but the Brazilian will not feature again this season.
Player to watch: Steven Gerrard
The club captain has been at the focal point of so many of Liverpool`s greatest moments over the past decade or so. Now with the Reds struggling the pressure is on Gerrard to help restore pride and a semblance of respectability to the current campaign. The only bright light during this gloomy run was the 3-0 victory over Everton in March when the skipper scored a brilliant hat trick. Now seemingly fully recovered for the various injury setbacks which have plagued him over the last year or so, Gerrard will be looking forward to once again leading the Reds out at Wembley next Saturday. Before then, the club`s Standard Chartered Player of the Month, will be looking to record back to back league victories and dispel some of the talk of crisis in the process.
Aston Villa Team News:
The big news for Villa is clearly club captain Stiliyan Petrov`s battle with acute leukaemia. The player began his treatment for the illness at a London hospital on Monday and everyone connected with the game wishes him well. In Petrov`s absence Gabriel Agbonlahor will wear the captain`s armband. Elsewhere there is mixed news on the injury front heading into this fixture. Scottish international Alan Hutton looks set to return from a calf injury but fellow defender Carlos Cuellar is likely to miss out with a thigh problem. Talented Frenchman Charles N`Zogbia is another struggling and is unlikely to feature due to a knee ligament issue. A fresh doubt is young striker Andreas Weimann, who picked up an ankle injury in last weekends' 4-2 defeat to Chelsea at Villa Park, and is therefore set to miss the clash at Anfield. Former Reds striker Emile Heskey will be hoping to replace the Austrian up front. Key players Darren Bent, Richard Dunne and Fabian Delph are all long-term casualties who are struggling to feature again this season.
Player to watch: Marc Albrighton
With the loss of both Stuart Downing and Ashley Young in the summer, the impact and importance of talented 22-year-old winger Albrighton was expected to continue to increase. Unfortunately inconsistency has plagued his season with solid and disappointing displays produced in equal measure (although he is far from being alone in that regard). The performance in defeat against Chelsea last time out was certainly encouraging however with the England U21 grabbing an assist and generally impressing with his all-round display. At his best Albrighton is energetic, pacey and skillful and, on paper at least, provides the most likely supply line for Agbonlahor up top. He also has the ability to get on the score-sheet himself with 3 goals so far this season.
Match Facts & Stats
• Liverpool and Aston Villa have met 181 times in their respective histories and Liverpool hold the upper hand with 89 wins to Villa's 54 and 38 draws.
• The Reds have won 21 games against Aston Villa in the Premier League era, their joint-highest number of wins over any opponent (along with Newcastle).
• Liverpool have had 30 more shots at goal than league leaders Manchester United this season but have scored 40 goals less.
• Reds winger Stewart Downing has attempted more shots without scoring than any other player in the Premier League this season (62). His last goal was in fact against Liverpool for Villa towards the end of last season.
• Corners could be the key to the game`s outcome with Liverpool having taken more than any other team this season (255) whilst Villa have conceded the highest number of goals from them (13).
Ref Watch:
This could be a very tense encounter with both sides struggling for form and confidence currently. Given Liverpool have home advantage and Villa are missing a host of key personnel we surely start as favourites. Even though Kenny and the players are in the midst of a run the likes of which most of us have never witnessed before, I`m quietly confident things will come good. Time is running out however and any momentum we gain will only serve to paper over the cracks until the summer when big changes will no doubt be made. 3-1 home win.
Match Prediction:
Michael Oliver is the official appointed to control this fixture. The Northumberland based official has been busy this season amassing 32 games during which he has shown 85 yellow and 4 red cards. Liverpool have come across the 27-year-old referee on 3 occasions during the current campaign with both of the league matches ending in 0-0 stalemates (at Wigan Athletic in December and home against Tottenham Hotspur in February). Oliver also took charge of the 2-1 Carling Cup victory over Brighton & Hove Albion back in September.
Next Fixtures:
Liverpool - Premier League vs Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park on Tuesday 10th April 2012, kick off 8.00pm.
Aston Villa - Premier League vs Stoke City at Villa Park on Monday 9th April 2012, kick off 5.30pm.
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