Liverpool vs. Aston Villa; Prediction Plus Line-Ups

Liverpool play Aston Villa on Saturday against a Villa side who are absolutely flying at the moment.

This is the first of many games Brendan Rodgers’ men will play without star man Daniel Sturridge and it will be very interesting to see how they fair in his absence. The 25 year old picked up the knock on international duty and his club manager has hit back at the English FA, saying “it was an injury that could’ve been prevented”.

Despite the attention Sturridge has received, there is a very adequate replacement in line, summer signing Mario Balotelli, he showed glimpses of brilliance against Spurs but this is his real time to shine and nail down a place before Sturridge is fit again. Full-backs Manquilo and Moreno also look like great signings judging from their performances at White Hart Lane recently.

Aston Villa look rejuvenated since the arrival of Roy Keane, some questionable summer arrivals didn’t fill the fans with great confidence but they’re overachieving and this tie against last year’s runners up will prove how far the Villains have come since last year.

The back four have proved the doubters wrong, Philipe Senderos in the form of his life and Ron Vlaar picking up from where he left off at the World Cup. Alan Hutton and Aly Cissokho are now providing a threat down the wings, something that was non-existent last term. The new regime seems to have given everyone a lift, especially players like Hutton, Senderos and Kieran Richardson, it seems like a perfect time and a perfect club for Tom Cleverley to get his career back on track.

Liverpool

Aston Villa