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We haven’t hit anywhere near top gear in any of our past three matches, yet we have managed to win all three. On Sunday we go to Villa Park, and if we don’t show more we will not get away with another win, and will probably be beaten. So off to Villa Park it is for a meeting with Villa, Gareth Barry and all.
Vital Quotes: Gareth Barry
‘Will Sunday be strange? I am 100% for Villa. That won’t be strange.
‘I’ve spoken to the manager and I’ve no problem giving 100% for Aston Villa – and that will be starting against Liverpool on Sunday.
‘Will the fans all be behind me? All I can do is give 100% for the club. That is all the fans will want to see.’
Its time to put this situation behind everyone, Barry still has a lot to do to win Villa fans over fully again, and what price he does this on Sunday!
Villa Team News:
Gareth Barry will line-up against the team that both he, and the majority of the hierarchy at Anfield wanted him to be lining up for. Ashley Young, John Carew, Martin Laursen, Stiliyan Petrov, Luke Young and Nicky Shorey are all expected to return to the Villa side. New signing from Rangers Carlos Cuellar is also in line to make an appearance.
Player to watch: Gabriel Agbonlahor
Gareth Barry? Far too easy to have picked him, despite the fact he will be a key player for Villa and the likelihood is he will do something major to influence this match, but Agbonlahor is such a talent. A hat trick in his last match at Villa Park, so he knows where the goal is!
Liverpool Team News:
Javier Mascherano and Lucas are back from Beijing after Olympic duty with Argentina and Brazil respectively and will be in the squad, Mascherano almost certain to come into the starting XI with Stevie Gerrard is out after his groin operation. Sami Hyypia is again likely to miss out as he bids to recover from his hamstring injury
Player to watch: Javier Mascherano
The returning Olympian will soften the blow of losing Stevie Gerrard.
Match Facts & Stats
The Reds last six meetings with Villa:
Liverpool 2-2 Aston Villa
Aston Villa 1-2 Liverpool
Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool
Liverpool 3-1 Aston Villa
Liverpool 3-1 Aston Villa
Aston Villa 0-2 Liverpool
Ref Watch:
Martin Atkinson will officiate.
Match Prediction:
Liege have offered us our sternest test this season, that isn’t to say that Sunderland and Middlesbrough didn’t as they did, but Villa will take this test to a new level on Sunday. If we’re not at our best we will be beaten, so its time for us to step up a gear, results and not performances are the most important thing at the early stage of the season but this will not wash forever. Will this week be that week when the gears are cranked? Villa 1 Liverpool 2 is my prediction
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Next Fixtures:
After the international fixtures we’re home to ManU (12.45pm Saturday 13th September) in the league.
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