Monday, August 24 2009
Liverpool Vs Aston Villa
Referee: Martin Atkinson.
TV: Live ESPN.
Few could have anticipated both teams suffering opening day losses. Liverpool were beaten for only the third time in the Premier League’s first game, but they responded by beating Stoke 4-0 on Wednesday, their best win since they beat Blackburn by the same score in April.
Last season Villa had Brad Friedel sent off and Liverpool won 5-0, and they have gone 15 games without loss.
Villa last beat Liverpool in September 2001, winning 3-1 at Anfield. Since then Liverpool have won nine and drawn six. Liverpool test Martin Skrtel (facial) and Danny Agger (back). Villa still miss new signing Stewart Downing.
Liverpool FC boss Rafa Benitez will choose between teenager Daniel Ayala, Slovakian Martin Skrtel and new signing Sotirios Kyrgiakos to partner Jamie Carragher in defence against Aston Villa at Anfield on Monday.
Skrtel is still in contention despite missing the midweek 4-0 win over Stoke with a fractured jaw.
Kyrgiakos, a £2million acquisition from AEK Athens, lacks match fitness, so Ayala could retain his place.
Liverpool (Probable, 4-4-1-1):
Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Ayala, Insua; Kuyt, Macherano, Lucas, Babel; Gerrard; Torres.
Aston Villa (Probable, 4-4-2):
Friedel; Beye, Cuellar, Davies, Shorey; Milner, Delph, Petrov, Young; Agbonlahor, Heskey.
Stat of the game: Last season, Steven Gerrard scored a hat-trick in this game – including two penalties.
Last season Highlights LFC - Aston Villa (5-0)
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