Match Preview: Liverpool v Aston Villa

Who are we playing?
Liverpool.

Where are we playing?
Anfield, Saturday 5.30 pm

Can I go?
Last time we checked there were a few tickets left despite the meagre allocation, so the hefty price tag of £44 must have put a few off. Get in quick as we'll likely sell out though.

Can I watch it live on the telly?

You can, but you'll have to put up with lashings of Jamie Redknapp.

Big game?

Her out of Sex and the City

Huge for Liverpool as they scrap it out for a Champions League place. Not so much for us because most Villa fans have already resigned themselves to losing this one despite the fact that we won up there last season and The Two Pauls insist we've made progress since then. 

Do Liverpool have any famous fans?  

Well there's Daniel Craig, you know, that short-arsed blonde bloke who is mucking up the James Bond franchise, Ian Beale out of EastEnders and Kim Cattrall, most famous for playing an ageing slapper in that Sex and the City load of old cobblers.

We've got the geezer that writes the Jack Reacher books.

So we win.

Who's playing for us?

Thrilled by the signing of Grant Holt? He's likely to be in the squad even if he doesn't start. Nathan Baker is definitely out thanks to the concussion he sustained against the Gooners and Chris Herd also keeps his "sicknote" mantle, but the "good" news is that almost forgotten left back Joe Bennett is back to challenge Tony Moon for the left back birth, although they may both be kicking their heels now that Ryan Bertrand has arrived on loan from Chelsea.

Who's playing for them?

Brendan Rodgers has confirmed Joe Allen's return to training and will check on the condition of Mamadou Sakho prior to the game.

Any useless stats?
Of course, here you go:

Bob Chatt

• Villa's first meeting with Liverpool came at Anfield on 8th September 1894, Villa running out 2-1 winners thanks to goals from Stephen Smith and Bob Chatt. All but one of Liverpool's line up were Scotsmen.

• Oddly though, that wasn't our first game at Anfield.  That took place on 6th October 1888 against Everton who won 2-0.

• Liverpool last beat us at Anfield back in December 2010, as Gerard Houllier made an unhappy return to his old stomping ground. We lost 3-0.

• Liverpool are a bit of a bogey team, having beaten us 91 times. We've beaten them on 55 ocasions and there have been 39 draws.

He said, She said...

Rodgers on Villa: "They're a tough team, have good threats up front with their pace and their counter attacks in particular. And for us, we know we can't make any mistakes."

Prediction

Fearing the worst here, despite the few minutes of spirited football ar the end of the Arsenal match, predicting a 3-1 Liverpool victory.