EPL match preview: Aston Villa vs Liverpool

Daniel Sturridge

After having a forgettable last season, Aston Villa have begun the 2013-14 season impressively. A stunning 3-1 win over Arsenal at the Emirates was followed up by a credible 1-2 defeat at Chelsea in game where experts believed Villa were unlucky to return empty-handed.

Villa will be hosting Liverpool this weekend, who won their opening day fixture against Stoke City. New goalkeeper Simon Mignolet made a crucial penalty save which ensured three points for the team after Daniel Sturridge had scored the season’s first goal.

Liverpool are expected to begin with the same team that started against Stoke City last Saturday. New loan signing Aly Cissokho is expected to get a place on the bench. Luis Suarez is still serving his ban for biting Branislav Ivanovic last season, which means Daniel Sturridge will lead the attack line.

Sebastian Coates has been ruled out due to a knee injury which’ll require a long-term recovery period and Martin Skrtel is doubtful to feature as well.

Liverpool are expected to retain the same team that started against Stoke City last Saturday

Aston Villa will look to Christian Benteke to continue his goal-scoring form, and are likely to retain most of the team that started against Chelsea. The only likely change could be inclusion of Jores Okore in place of injured Ciaran Clark. Charles N’Zogbia is ruled out due to injury while Chris Herd and Nathan Baker are also expected to miss out.

Likely Aston Villa starting lineup

Stats and Trivia

• There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 12 of Liverpool’s last 13 away games in the Premier League.
• There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Aston Villa’s last 7games in the Premier League.
• Liverpool have kept a clean sheet in 6 of their last 8 matches in the Premier League
• Liverpool are undefeated in 14 of their last 15 away matches against Aston Villa in all competitions.
• Liverpool have won their last 3 matches in the Premier League.

(Stats courtesy WhoScored.com)

Manager Talk:

“The lads know they were outdone by certain aspects of the Chelsea game. I thought we were excellent. Some of the football was terrific. We come away from two difficult games with our confidence really vibrant – and so it should be because of the way we played. There will be one or two bruises. Friday will be light for them and then we go again on Saturday.

It’s great when you get a group of lads who are going to the well for you every time. I trust them. I trust them to give it a right good go. I always know they have given me absolutely everything they have given. That’s all you can ask for as a manager. I have a good staff behind me and I have top players playing at the top of their game.”

- Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert

“Over the course of the summer, we have been very ambitious in our attempts to try to get in players to improve the team,” said Rodgers in his pre-match press conference. “Some might say too ambitious but this is Liverpool Football Club – we are trying to get the best players that we possibly can. If we can’t get them in, we just have to move on. We’ve got 11 days to go, we have to do everything we possibly can.

Whatever the transfer talk has been this week, the bottom line is we have some outstanding players here already. We will keep finding ways to hopefully win games and add to the squad alongside that. If we can’t get them in, we just have to move on. The players showed last week that for all the distractions and speculation over the course of the summer they are still very focused on the job of performing well and winning games. We’ll go into the Villa game with confidence.”

- Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers

Result in corresponding fixture last season: Goals from Jordan Henderson and Steven Gerrard helped Liverpool to a 2-1 victory at Villa Park after Christian Benteke had scored to give the lead to the hosts.

Prediction: Liverpool to clinch the tie 2-1, with goals from Benteke, Aspas and Sturridge.