Premier League: Liverpool v Aston Villa match preview

A look ahead to this weekend's Premier League fixture at Anfield

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez (GETTY IMAGES)

Liverpool will look to build on their recent wins over Southampton and West Ham as they look to push towards a top four place this season.

Despite currently sitting in tenth position with 22 points, they are just four points off fourth placed Everton, so optimism will be high within the Liverpool camp. The Reds have also won three of their last four home games, after winning just three of their previous 15 before that.

Villa arrive at Anfield with only goal difference keeping them out of the bottom three, after successive draws against QPR and Stoke.

Villa will have to be at their best to stand any chance of getting anything from this game, as they have won just one of their last 16 Premier League matches, scoring just seven goal during that period.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 3pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Aston Villa 1 (Downing) Liverpool 0 Premier League, May 2011

Aston Villa 0 Liverpool 2 (Bellamy, Skrtel) Premier League, December 2011

Liverpool 1 (Suarez) Aston Villa 1(Herd), Premier League, April 2012

STATS…

The last player to score a winning goal for Aston Villa against Liverpool was Stewart Downing in May 2011 in his final appearance before he signed for Liverpool. Since then he has played 43 Premier League games without scoring for the Reds.

The Reds have kept four clean sheets in their last five league matches at Anfield, conceding just one goal in the other game.

Villa have won just one of their last 10 Premier League trips to Anfield (W1 D3 L6).

Steven Gerrard has scored nine goals against Aston Villa, more than versus any other opponent in his Premier League career.

Only Manchester United (27) and Manchester City (24) have taken more points over the past 11 Premier League games than Liverpool (20).

ODDS…

Liverpool to win: 1.4

Aston Villa to win: 10

Draw: 5.2

TV: Highlights on BBC 1, 10.25pm