Liverpool v Aston Villa - The Lowdown

Roy Hodgson has turned things around at Liverpool. Prior to last weekend's loss at Spurs, his side had only lost once in eight games (in all compeitions), in the league against Stoke, hardly an easy tie at the Britannia, after their season hinged on consecutive league wins against Blackburn, Bolton and Chelsea.












Credit: http://tomkinstimes.com/2010/06/does-roy-hodgson-have-the-credentials/

On the contrary, Villa's form has hit a stumbling block. The midlanders have won only once in the league since beating Wolves at the end of September, and last week fell out of the Carling Cup against local rivals Birmingham.

Seven points out of the last nine league games will hardly give Gerard Houllier confidence pending his return to the club he managed for six years.

The Frenchman will be looking to turn the tides on Villa's current form in what will be his first competitive return to Anfield since his exit in 2004.

Liverpool will be looking to record a fourth successive home league win, but goals have been at a premium between these two sides of late.

The hosts have failed to hit the target four times this season, each away from home, but have only scored more than one goal fives times this season in the league.

The visitors, in contrast, have scored two or more in three of their last four league games, but their problems lie at the back, where they have conceded two or more in each of their last 5 games.

That includes the cup defeat to Birmingham, and the side haven't kept a clean sheet since October, despite keeping two in their first three league games.

The Merseysiders have kept three clean sheets in their last six league games, with Chelsea and West Ham both drawing blanks at Anfield of late.

You wonder where the goals are going to come from for Aston Villa, with Ashley Young suspended. The side will, no doubt, be helped by the return to form of Gabriel Agbonlahor, who scored at Anfield four years ago in a 3-1 defeat, but can he make a difference?

His goalscoring return midweek hasn't quite made up for Stephen Ireland's lack of form since his summer move from Manchester City. The midfielder has yet to score for his new club and has been ousted from the team by the young pairing of Barry Bannan and Jonathan Hogg, despite an injury to club captain Stiliyan Petrov.










Credit: http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,19764,11677_3309777,00.html

Richard Dunne hasn't quite reached the same standards we grow to expect from the Republic of Ireland centre back and he will have his hands full with Fernando Torres tonight.

The Spanish forward has scored in 2 of his last 3 appearances at Anfield but the side have missed the leadership of captain Steven Gerrard of late and tonight's game will be a prime example of whether Liverpool can cope without him, with the likes of Meireles, Joe Cole and Dirk Kuyt all looking to step up to the mantle.













Credit: http://www.themadnews.com/fernando-torres-volley-goal-video-vs-west-bromwich-albion-3622


Another on-field leader, Jamie Carragher, will be missing for a while after he sustained a shoulder injury against Tottenham, while Pepe Reina got a rare mistake out of his system in a 1-1 draw against Steaua Bucharest on Thursday. Expect him to be back at his wonderful best tonight.

So, which way will tonight go?

In my eyes, both teams could really do with three points, especially Villa, who are now only 2 points clear of the relegation zone, but I can see Liverpool having too much for them.

Perhaps tonight may be the time for Joe Cole to ignite his Anfield career , but expect Villa to be resolute and create chances.

Unless they can keep Hodgson's side out, there's nothing in Liverpool for them.

Key man: Joe Cole. Prediction: Liverpool 3- Aston Villa 1


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