Match Preview: Aston Villa v Liverpool

Who are we playing?
Liverpool on Saturday 17th January at 3pm

Where are we playing?
Villa Park

Can I go?
Tickets remain available but (amazingly given the circumstances) they are selling fast, so get in quick if you want your favourite spot.

Easy to get to?
Yep, but if you are going through town, be aware that they buggering up all the roads near Paradise Circle as they knock down the old library.

Can I watch it on telly?
Saturday 3 o'clocker, so not officially available on UK telly, though there are plenty of web streams and loads of pubs will screen the game live.

Big game?
Huge.

Liverpool are by no means the force they were last season, with some of Southampton contingent struggling to settle in. They have undoubtedly missed the services of the departed Suarez and and the injured Sturridge, while the imminent departure of long serving captain Steve "Don't try to change the CD" Gerrard is casting a long shadow.

Indeed, arguably Villa's best performance of the season was up at Anfield where we deservedly took all three points as Gabby effectively nullified the threat of Stevie G from the game.

If only Mister Agbonlahor had been any where near as useful in any game since.

No point calling this a must-win game because you have to score goals to win matches and we don't know how any more.

There's zero point in having the lion's share of the ball if you haven't got a Scooby what to do with it and Villa's lack of (useful) movement is becoming a chronic condition.

Do Liverpool have any famous fans? 
A big hello to Jason Isaacs! There's also Ian Beale off of EastEnders and controversial pop star Lana del Rey

We've got fiddle playing scruffbox Nigel Kennedy.

So we win.

Who's playing for us?
Who knows. We might even buy someone by Saturday. Defence could be an issue. Vlaar and Senderos are long term absentees and Clark has got himself suspended so it looks like fragile Nathan Baker will be pitched in. Gawd knows what we'll do if he makes his characteristic early exit.

Who's playing for them?
If you believe the rumours, quite possibly Fabian Delph. Honestly believe the current regime at Villa would be daft enough to allow that to happen. At least it might liven up the atmosphere.

Any useless stats?
Of course, here you go:

• Liverpool have beaten us 91 times while we have 56 wins. There have been 40 draws.

• Our last Villa Park win over Liverpool was back in May 2011. Stewart Downing got the only goal. 

• Villa's best performance against the Merseyside club was on 15 December 1976 when we demolished them 5-1.

Prediction
Going for a 2-0 Liverpool win.