Liverpool vs Aston Villa
Kenny Dalglish and Liverpool are the most talked about topics in English football today but for the wrong reasons. Six defeats in seven games is Liverpool's worst run in 58 years and a couple more on the trot might result in an unceremonious exit for Dalglish from a club where he is considered a legend.
While Liverpool are in trouble, Aston Villa aren't that far behind. After Young and Downing left last summer, Villa have struggled and often rely too much on Agbonlahor, especially in the absence of the injured Darren Bent and Manager Alex McLeish has been criticised for playing a dull, defensive style of football.
With a match at Blackburn in midweek and the FA Cup semi-final against rivals Everton coming up next week, Dalglish would have wanted to rest some of his first team players but the risk of a record of seven defeats in eight matches may not be the ideal momentum the manager is looking for before the FA Cup clash. So expect all the main Liverpool players to start against Villa.
Jose Reina is suspended for three matches and hence former Roma goalkeeper Alexander Doni will take his place in goal. Lucas Leiva and Charlie Adam are ruled out, while Daniel Agger, Martin Kelly and Glen Johnson are unlikely to be passed fit for this one.
Aston Villa already have enough injury problems and have been recently hit with the news of capatin Stiliyan Petrov's illness and retirement. Fabien Delph, Richard Dunne, Darren Bent, Ciaran Clark and Carlos Cuellar are all unavailable due to injuries and Charles N'Zogbia and Alan Hutton only have slight chance of being fit for the Anfield game.
Liverpool won the reverse fixture at Villa Park 2-0 in December with goals from Craig Bellamy and Martin Skrtel.
Probable Line-up
Liverpool: Doni, Flanagan, Carragher, Skrtel, Enrique, Spearing, Gerrard, Henderson, Downing, Suarez, Carroll
Aston Villa: Given, Lichaj, Collins, Baker, Warnock, Gardner, Ireland, Bannan, Albrighton, Agbonlahor, Weimann
The match will be available live on vslive.tv in the UK and FOXSoccer.tv in the US.
