Liverpool vs Aston Villa - Predicted Line-ups & Match Preview

Liverpool vs Aston VillaLocation: Anfield Kick off: 3 p.m, Saturday 15th December Referee: Neil Swarbrick History and Form: This fixture last season ended in a fairly low key 1-1 draw with Chris Herd and Luis Suarez the goalscorers for either side. Liverpool have won 3 of the last 5 meetings at either ground. Liverpool won 2-0 at Villa Park nearly a year ago (18th December 2011) in the meeting prior to the 1-1 Anfield draw - one of the scorers that day, Craig Bellamy, no longer plays for the club. Liverpool BPL Form: DWDLWW - 4th Real Position: 10th Aston Villa BPL Form: LLDWDD - 15th Real Position: 17th Liverpool Team News Liverpool head into this fixture buoyed by their late win down at Upton Park just last Sunday. Liverpool won that game 3-2 and it was their first Sunday victory of the season. This accomplished without leading goalscorer and star player Luis Suarez (10 BPL goals) means confidence should be flowing among the Redmen as they return to familiar territory looking for their first back to back home league wins of the season, and only their seventh of a lackluster 2012 at Anfield. Suarez does return for this game after serving the one game suspension incurred for picking up 5 separate yellow cards. Jonjo Shelvey is likely to be the man replaced by Suarez despite his determined display against West Ham, Shelvey is Liverpool's second top goalscorer with four goals this season - all coming in the Europa League. Earlier this week on Thursday afternoon, second choice goalkeeper Brad Jones was awarded a new contract for his assured displays this season in the absence of Pepe Reina. The goalkeeper has only lost one game in normal time as a Liverpool player (Anzhi Makhachkala). Joe Cole's goal at Upton Park may see him start against Villa, perhaps to rest young Raheem Sterling who many believe is at risk of burnout due to his unusual amount of playing time this season, especially for someone who only just turned 18. Raheem Sterling is yet to sign a new contract. Injuries: Liverpool's only non-long term injury concern is that of Jose Enrique who remains a doubt for the afternoon game after picking up a hamstring complaint during the win over West Ham. He told Liverpoolfc.com: "I am okay, but I don't know if I'll be ready for the game. It's nothing bad, but I don't know if I'll be able to play." With Enrique in form at the moment, Brendan Rodgers will be hoping the Spaniard will be fit. Stewart Downing may also continue in the starting XI, but this time at left back IF Enrique is kept sidelined. Injury to Enrique may leave Rodgers short for experienced full backs with Martin Kelly out until after the New Year. Fabio Borini also remains on the sidelines whilst he recovers from a broken foot picked up whilst on international duty. Aston Villa Team News Aston Villa also head into this game following a win after recording a 4-1 victory away at Norwich City during the midweek League Cup quarter final clash. It was an impressive result when baring in mind that Norwich are currently third in the Premier League form table, behind only Manchester United and Stoke City. However in the Premier League, Aston Villa themselves are not in the best form at this moment in time, they sit 15th in the current form guide (courtesy of www.premierleague.com).Injuries: However, that victory against the Canaries did come at a price for Paul Lambert's side as Darren Bent hobbled off with a hamstring complaint. This is a blow for Bent himself as he may have been wanting to attempt to impress LFC manager Rodgers before the January window opened (if the media is to be believed after reports linking the striker with a loan move to Anfield were mooted). Long term absentee Stylian Petrov is still missing from the squad and will receive a minute's applause from the Anfield crowd in support of his fight against cancer. Ron Vlaar does still remain a doubt for Villa following his troublesome calf injury as does fellow defender Joe Bennett who is having some trouble recovering from a knee complaint. One player who could make a return to Premier League action is Charles N'Zogbia, the pacey winger returned to the Villa side during the League Cup win over Norwich and could return at Anfield - though perhaps not from the start. Long term absentees Richard Dunne and Gary Gardner are still recovering from groin and anterior cruciate ligament respectively. What are your predictions for this game? Who are the players to watch? Let us know in the comments below! On twitter: @ZAForsterSources:http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/enrique-we-have-a-big-chancehttp://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/matchday/form-guide.html

Contributor
Contributor

I'm Zak and I graduated from the University of Hull in 2014 - where I studied 20th Century History. I love anything about football, especially weird and wonderful stats. I'm in to trying just about any game and enjoy debating about films. My main passion for writing comes from the beautiful game! I encourage debate so please leave any comments you think of! I hope you enjoy the articles.