Premier League Preview: Aston Villa v Liverpool

Sunday, kick-off 4pm

Celebrity predictions from The New Football Pools' pundits:

John Barnes : Away win. Tony Cascarino : Home win. Graham Poll : Away win.

Team news :

Villa could have new signing James Milner in their line-up. Gareth Barry is poised to play against a Liverpool side he had looked like joining earlier in the summer. Villa boss Martin O'Neill could recall Ashley Young, John Carew, Martin Laursen, Stiliyan Petrov, Luke Young and Nicky Shorey. Recent signing Carlos Cuellar has started training after a calf injury and may play some part.

Midfielders Javier Mascherano and Lucas are back in to Liverpool's squad following their return from the Olympics. Liverpool will be without skipper Steven Gerrard who is recovering from a groin operation. Defender Sami Hyypia is doubtful following a hamstring problem.

Stats:

Last season: Liverpool 2 Aston Villa 2, Aston Villa 1 Liverpool 2

Last five league matches: Aston Villa D L D W L; Liverpool D W W W W

Top scorers: Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa) 4; Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard & Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool) 1

Match odds: H 2-1 A 11-8 D 11-5

Referee: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire)

Match facts from Opta:

Gareth Barry scored Villa's goal from the penalty spot the last time these two sides met at Villa Park.

Martin O'Neill's men have kept just one clean sheet in their last 13 games at Villa Park.

Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 10 visits to play the Villans in Birmingham.

Villa have won only one of the last 18 league games against Liverpool.

Villa have scored just three goals in Liverpool's last nine visits to Villa Park.

Villa have won just four of their last 13 league games.

Liverpool have won the most corners (23) and conceded the fewest (4).

There have been 41 goals scored in the last nine league games involving Aston Villa.

Martin O'Neill's side have conceded at least twice in each of their last five league matches.

All three of Liverpool's goals this season have been netted in the final 10 minutes.

Villa have conceded penalties in each of their last two league games.

Steven Gerrard has scored six Premier League goals against Aston Villa, more than against any other team.

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