Villa vs Liverpool preview & predictons

By: Martini Extra Dry | August 30th, 2008

The massive talking point in this game isn’t going to be on the pitch, it’ll be the Martin O’Neill (welterweight) vs Rafa Benitez (heavyweight) punch up on the sidelines! Rafa seems to have the weight advantage but my money’s on O’Neill, who is quick, agile and, judging by the occasional crazy look I’ve seen in his eyes, packs quite a punch. Let’s just hope no-one mentions ‘Gareth Barry’ to them, or it will be like saying ‘cats’ to a pitbull.

Rucking aside, there is a big football game at Villa Park today, made all the more a grudge match by the summers goings-on. Villa will be desperate to take points from this home clash, after last week crumbling at stoke City, and, at the same time, Liverpool will be very eager to hold on to their 100% start. Chelsea are the only other team on 100% and they take on a Tottenham side on the opposite end of the scale; top vs bottom.

I’m expecting Gareth Barry to play out of his skin today, in an attempt to prove to Liverpool that they were fools not to pony up the dosh for him and although in the long term that might not be great for Villa, in the short term it’ll do nicely.

For me, (I’m sure scousers will disagree with me here) Liverpool’s season so far has owed a heck of a lot to luck; Sunderland played fantastic against them and deserved something out of the game but one flash of Torres brilliance undid them and it was pretty much the same story with Boro, Stevie G (once again) saving their skin in injury time.

Villa though have yet to look convincing at the back this season and that will be very much punished by the likes of Torres, if it isn’t sorted out today. Carlos Cuellar is likely to step up this afternoon, to make his debut and his commading presence could help us pull it together in defence.

Lets hear some of your predictions of the scoreline today then Villa Offsiders and your preferred starting line up. Here’s mine:

Villa 2-1 Liverpool (I’m an optimistic fan at times)

Friedel
L.Young – Cuéllar – Laursen (c) – Shorey
Milner – Barry – Reo-Coker – A.Young
Agbonlahor – Carew

I’m still not sure that Agbon and Carew work well with each other, but with the balls coming in from Ashley Young, Gareth Barry and now James Milner, it isn’t quite as vital. As for Barry’s partner in the centre of the park, it’s a tough one between NRC, Petrov and Salifou, but in a tight game like this I’ve gone for NRC’s tough tackling, holding role. Salifou’s chance will come this season but he’s unlikely to get starts against the likes of Liverpool until he’s played more Premiership games.

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