Villa Face Liverpool In Their Toughest Challenge Yet

Tonight`s late kick-off (5:30) sees an Aston Villa side yet to taste defeat travel to Anfield to face their toughest opposition of the season so far.

Paul Lambert`s Villa have made a healthy start to their 23rd consecutive Premier League season, sitting in third place. Having earned seven points from a trio of potential end of the season mid-table rivals, the Scot will be hoping that his side will continue their run with talismanic centre half Ron Vlaar a doubt. The Villains` defence, however, will take comfort from the absence of Daniel Sturridge. The 25-year-old was brought down by a thigh strain in a warm-down session following England`s 1-0 victory over friendly opponents Norway. Though that`s not to say Villa should rest easy. Mario Balotelli is set to make his home debut, whilst summer signing Adam Lallana is expected to return from injury.

With such squad strength, Liverpool have been made 1/3 favourites (boylesports, Betvictor, paddy Power, william hill) for the clash, with both a draw (5/1 - bet365, betfair) and an away win (11/1 - betfair) unlikely outcomes in the eyes of the bookmakers.

There will, however, be very little overconfidence in the Scouse camp. The boys in red will know that Lambert has had rich pickings from his trips across the Mersey, having never lost at Anfield as a Premier League manager. Last season Liverpool had to come from two goals down to steal a point after first half goals from Andreas Weimann and Christian Benteke. For anyone thinking that history will repeat itself, it`s 25/1 (bet365, Betvictor, betway, Skybet, sportingbet) for the game to end a draw after a post-half-time capitulation from Villa. Whilst Weimann is 6/1 at betfred and Totesport to find the back of the net, Benteke is still out with a long-term Achilles injury. Paul Lambert told a pre-match press conference yesterday that the Belgian is `not too far away from training` again.

Defensively, captain Vlaar is a doubt after tweaking his calf in the 90th minute of the Midlands club`s 2-1 home win over Hull City. The experienced Dutchman, who is in the last year of his contract at Villa Park, had to leave the field of play despite Lambert having made all of his permitted substitutions. This setback saw the 29-year-old sit out of Holland`s unlikely defeat at the hands of the Czech Republic on Tuesday.

Should Vlaar be further rested, he may well be replaced with potentially fit-again Denmark international Jores Okore. The 22-year-old has not had any game time this season thanks to troubles with his knee.

For those expecting Aston Villa`s makeshift defence to cause their undefeated run to come to an unceremonious end, Liverpool can be backed at 5/1 (Betvictor, boylesports, paddy Power) to score four or more goals past goalkeeper Brad Guzan. The Reds will have to do this however without their 2013/14 Premier League Golden Boot runner-up, Daniel Sturridge. The potent striker out with the aforementioned thigh injury picked up when on international duty, something that has not gone unnoticed by domestic club manager Brendan Rogers.

`We`re disappointed because we feel it was an injury that could have been prevented.

`I think clubs work differently to international teams.` The Northern Irishman told a press conference.

With this in mind, Rogers` shrewd summer signing Mario Balotelli is 4/1 (bet365, ladbrokes, william hill) to break the deadlock and 20/1 with bet365 and unibet to bag a hat-trick. Potential season debutante Adam Lallana can be backed at 8/1 with Spreadex to open the scoring.

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13/09/2014     © Frixo 2024