Liverpool v Aston Villa match preview

Liverpool v Aston Villa: match preview

The Guardian, Friday 12 September 2014 19.14 BST   

Something about Anfield sparks the best in Paul Lambert's Aston Villa, who were 2-0 up last season and on course to repeat the previous year’s 3-1 win until Daniel Sturridge changed the game on the stroke of half-time. Sturridge will be missing against the unbeaten Villa because of injury suffered with England but that leaves centre stage clear for Mario Balotelli on his home debut. Adam Lallana and Lazar Markovic are also pressing for inclusion as Liverpool look to build on their impressive dismantling of Spurs last time out.Andy Hunter

Kick-off Saturday 5.30pm

Venue Anfield

Last season Liverpool 2 Aston Villa 2

Live Sky Sports 1

Referee Lee Mason

This season G2, Y4, R0, 2.0 cards per game

Odds H 1-3 A 5-1 D 11-1
Liverpool v Aston Villa Liverpool v Aston Villa: probable starters in bold, contenders in light
Liverpool

Subs from Jones, Lallana, Markovic, José Enrique, Touré, Lambert, Lucas, Suso, Ibe, Borini

Doubtful Allen (knee)

Injured Flanagan (knee, 20 Sep), Skrtel (ankle, 20 Sep), Johnson (thigh, 27 Sep), Sturridge (thigh, 4 Oct), Can (ankle, 18 Oct)

Discipline Y6 R0

Leading scorer Sterling 2

Subs from Given, Steer, Baker, Okore, Clark, Bacuna, Cole, Herd, Richardson, Bent, Sánchez, Lowton, Stevens, Grealish, Johnson, Burke, Robinson

Doubtful Okore (knee), Vlaar (calf)

Injured Benteke (calf, Oct), Kozak (broken leg, Oct)

Suspended None

Discipline Y8 R0

Leading scorer Weimann 2