Source: SKY_Sports
Liverpool v Aston Villa preview
Anfield is primed for a top-of-the-table clash on Sunday as Liverpool entertain Aston Villa.[LNB] The hosts still harbour title aspirations following last weekend's 4-1 humbling of Manchester United, while Villa continue to pursue a top-four finish.[LNB]It is the Reds who will enter the game as strong favourites, though, as they have found form at a crucial stage of the season.[LNB]They also boast an impressive record this season against those sides flying high in the Premier League table, going unbeaten through six games against teams inside the top five.[LNB]Rafa Benitez's men are unbeaten in 14 against the current top 10 and have gone 25 games on home soil since they last tasted defeat.[LNB]They can also boast the formidable partnership of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres within their ranks, with the Reds unbeaten on the nine occasions in which the pair have started alongside each other this season.[LNB]They have scored 11 goals between them in those nine games, while Gerrard has scored more Premier League goals (six) against Villa than any other team.[LNB]As if the task facing Villa was not already difficult enough, Martin O'Neill's men have started to wobble badly of late.[LNB]They have failed to win any of their last seven games in all competitions and have slipped out of the UEFA Champions League places.[LNB]Villa have won only one of their six matches against the big four this season and are yet to secure a top flight victory over Liverpool in 14 attempts.[LNB]Alonso could featureLiverpool will be hoping that Xabi Alonso shakes off a slight knock in time to take his place in midfield.[LNB]The Spaniard has been nursing a calf strain of late but could be fit enough to make the crunch clash.[LNB]Yossi Benayoun is sidelined with a hamstring injury, Philipp Degen has a groin strain but Alvaro Arbeloa could come into contention after tweaking a hamstring prior to the Reds' Old Trafford success.[LNB]Daniel Agger is another notable absentee as he continues to nurse a back complaint.[LNB]Carew in contentionStriker John Carew is pushing hard for a return to the Aston Villa starting line-up after convincing O'Neill he is back to full fitness following a back problem.[LNB]The Norwegian international heads for Anfield having netted twice as a substitute recently against Stoke and Tottenham, and will battle with Emile Heskey and goal-shy Gabriel Agbonlahor for a place.[LNB]O'Neill has to decide whether left-back Wilfred Bouma is ready to play any part after eight months out of action with a dislocated ankle.[LNB]Midfielder Steve Sidwell could also come into the equation after returning to training following a recent ankle setback.[LNB]Possible starting XIsLiverpool: Reina, Carragher, Skrtel, Hyypia, Aurelio, Mascherano, Lucas, Kuyt, Gerrard, Riera, Torres.[LNB]Villa: Friedel, Cuellar, Davies, Knight, Luke Young, Milner, Petrov, Barry, Ashley Young, Agbonlahor, Heskey.[LNB]
