Liverpool v Aston Villa: Premier League match preview

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

Saturday 18 January 2014 14:22 GMT

Luis Suarez of Liverpool celebrates with Daniel Sturridge (L) as he scores their fourth goal during the Barclays Premier League match against Stoke (GETTY IMAGES)

Liverpool have the opportunity to create a gap between themselves and the rest of the top-four’s chasing pack when they take on an inconsistent Aston Villa side in the late Saturday game.

Manchester United and Tottenham both play on Sunday, while the Reds’ Merseyside rivals Everton do not feature until Monday. A win will take Liverpool four points clear in fourth place, as they look to solidify their status within the Champions League positions, before looking even higher at a potential title challenge.

The Reds have recovered well since their demoralising defeats to title-chasers Manchester City and Chelsea, winning three games on the bounce since.

This could be the game that Liverpool fans see Sturridge and Suarez back in tandem from the start of a match. The pair linked up for 25 minutes in the 5-3 win against Stoke when Sturridge came off the bench, scoring after Suarez had slotted twice.

Aston Villa’s recent win away at Sunderland and their positive performance against Arsenal this past Monday night, seems to have lifted the pressure on Paul Lambert and they find themselves in a relatively healthy, 11 place.

Christian Benteke finally ended his goal drought against Arsenal and will be eager to build on his three goals in his three previous games against Liverpool.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 5.30pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS:

Aston Villa 0 Liverpool 1 (Sturridge), Premier League, August 2013

Aston Villa 1 (Benteke) Liverpool 2 (Henderson, Gerrard), Premier League, March 2013

Liverpool 1 (Gerrard) Aston Villa 3 (Benteke, Weimann), Premier League, December 2012

STATS:

In the last three times the sides have met, the away team has won

Christian Benteke has scored three goals in his last three games against Liverpool

Aston Villa have only won once in their last seven Premier League games

ODDS:

Liverpool to win: 1.20

Aston Villa to win: 13.00

Draw: 6.50

TV: Live on Sky Sports 1 at 5.30pm, Highlights on BBC1 at 10.20pm

Liverpool - January transfer targets

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1/13Liverpool - January transfer targets

Liverpool - January transfer targets

Yevhen Konoplyanka - Ukrainian international winger who impressed against England in recent World Cup qualifiers. Happy playing on either flank.

Getty Images

Liverpool - January transfer targets

Javier Pastore - Very impressive and highly rated as a youngster, the Argentine international's career has stalled slightly since his £40m move to PSG. With the French club pursuing Juan Mata, a move to Liverpool could help Pastore get his career back on track and secure his World Cup place. For Liverpool it looks like they could secure some top quality reinforcement fairly reasonably.

Liverpool - January transfer targets

Will Hughes - Derby's teenage midfielder has been consistently linked with a move to Anfield. However despite Brendan Rodgers' penchant for nurturing young talent, the Liverpool manager has so far denied he will be making a move.

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Liverpool - January transfer targets

Michu - Last season's sensation has suffered slightly from second season syndrome but nevertheless he remains an excellent player. The Spaniard recently expressed an interest in playing at a higher level, could his signing help Liverpool secure a precious Champions League spot?

AFP/Getty Images

Liverpool - January transfer targets

Hakan Calhanoglu - Hamburg's young star has also attracted the attention of Arsenal but with the London side packed with a surfeit of high-profile attacking midfielders, Liverpool might prove an easier place for the Turk to establish himself.

Liverpool - January transfer targets

Danny Ings - With Rodgers looking to reinforce his SAS strike partnership, England U21 international Ings could be in line for a January move. The Burnley hitman has 12 league goals so far this season.

Liverpool - January transfer targets

Jorginho - With Liverpool wanting to ease the strain on ageing skipper Steven Gerrard, Verona's Brazilian Jorginho could be the man to make the move to Anfield with a rumoured £15m transfer.

Liverpool - January transfer targets

Claudio Marchisio - With Juventus' early Champions League exit meaning the midfielder could be on his way out in order to recoup some money, Liverpool could swoop to pick up a classy long term alternative for Gerrard.

Liverpool - January transfer targets

Konstaninos Mitroglou - The Olympiakos striker's exploits this season have alerted not only Arsenal but also Liverpool to a possible January move. Would help take the strain off Suarez.

Liverpool - January transfer targets

Ivan Rakitic - The Sevilla man may have a rather off-putting €40m release clause but that allegedly hasn't put off Liverpool who are still keen on the Croatian.

Liverpool - January transfer targets

Salomon Rondon - Reportedly a Liverpool target when Suarez's exit from the club seemed inevitable, Rondon could be on his way out at Rubin Kazan and Liverpool may well renew their interest in the forward.

Liverpool - January transfer targets

Ola Toivonen - The Swede is available on a free in the summer but Rodgers is said to be hopeful of taking him on loan before then. His versatility could prove handy at Anfield.

Liverpool - January transfer targets

Kevin Volland - Liverpool are said to be one of five Premier League clubs after the young winger whose performances in the Bundesliga have impressed.

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