Liverpool v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[MonsXI]

If Cuellar's out, Lichaj or Herd centre back?

I'd be reluctant to put Baker in the middle again just yet.

Earlier in the week I'm sure I read or saw that Cuellar and N'Zog would be in contention haven't heard anything since.

[David_Nab]

Weimann also struggling with Ankle injury ..

[supertommykN'iba]

----------------Given--------------------
-Lichaj--Collins--Baker--Warnock--
-------Herd--Bannan--Gardner------
--Ireland--------------Carruthers----
-----------Agbonlahor-----------------

Subs - Guzan, Hutton, Heskey, Williams, Grealish, Albrighton, Johnson.

Think that's all we've got left now? I'd like to see Carruthers and Ireland starting more behind Gabby than as Wingers. Ireland was class there at City, might as well try it at some point. No harm in being attacking.

[David_Nab]

We really are down to the barebones now

[Boz]

Liverpool might be inconsistent currently, but they'll have too much for an injury hit Villa.

See us losing 3-1.

[Boz]

If we can't get a point against this rabble we must be bad.

We are 

[David_Nab]

We are really in the shit player wise ...

[Surrey Villain]

Oh no!  It looks like Hutton will come straight back in at the expense of Lichaj.  How to discourage a player after a good (goalscoring) performance.  Could be Heskey up front as well.  Excuse?  "We need a wee bit of experience against these big boys".  I imagine Lichaj would relish the chance of kicking Downing into the Kop.

[Matt C]

Based on nothing inpaticular I think we'll get a point here. Ireland for us and then the inevitable Downing/Carroll goal, most likely from a corner, late on followed by few minutes frantic defending but we hang on. 1-1. 

[luke25]

Downing, Carrol, Suarez, Carragher, Bellamy, Gerrard, Dalglish.... I genuinly can't remember a club ever having so many ****** on their books at any one time.

[villanic]

Downing, Carrol, Suarez, Carragher, Bellamy, Gerrard, Dalglish.... I genuinly can't remember a club ever having so many c***s on their books at any one time.

Small Heath at anyone time have more than that.

[PeterWithesShin]

Andreas Weimann has emerged as a fresh injury doubt for Villa ahead of Saturday's trip to Liverpool - but Alan Hutton looks set to return.

Weimann picked up an ankle injury in last weekends' 4-2 defeat to Chelsea at Villa Park and is unlikely to be available for the clash at Anfield.

The top-flight tussle with Kenny Dalglish's team also appears to have come too soon for Charles N'Zogbia and Carlos Cuellar, who have been on the sidelines with knee ligament and thigh problems respectively.

But there is better news for Hutton, who looks to be ready for the first part of Villa's Bank Holiday double-header.

The Scotland international full-back missed out on the Chelsea game after being forced off with an injury at Arsenal a week earlier.

He had initially been struggling with a heel injury but also developed a calf problem.

"I think Alan Hutton is looking as if he is going to be available for these couple of games," said manager Alex McLeish.

"Andi Weimann is a doubt because of the ankle injury he received last weekend and Charles N'Zogbia, as well, is a doubt.

"But we are hopeful they could be ready for at least Monday's game."

[Matt C]

Dare I say it, how about Hutton at centre half?

[pedro25]

Hutton in for Weimann then?  And maybe Albrighton for Gardner

                        Given
          Hutton Collins Baker Lichaj
  Albrighton Ireland  Herd Warnock Bannan
                     Agbonlahor

[Rip Van We Go Again]

He'll certainly pack the midfield.

Doubtless it will be every man behind the ball.