Afternoon folks! The second FA Cup semi-final sees two of the most successful clubs in the competition's history go head to head at Wembley. Kickoff is just under an hour away, so there's no time to waste. Let's get to the team news...

VILLA XI: Given; Bacuna, Baker, Vlaar, Richardson; Westwood, Delph, Cleverley; Grealish, N'Zogbia; Benteke

VILLA SUBS: Guzan, Okore, Sinclair, Weimann, Cole, Lowton, Gil

Righty ho. Tim Sherwood makes four changes to the Villa side that won at White Hart Lane against Tottenham Hotspur last Saturday. Cup keeper Shay Given comes in for Brad Guzan between the sticks, while further forward Nathan Baker, Ashley Westwood and Charles N'Zogbia replace Ciaran Clark, Carlos Sanchez and Gabriel Agbonlahor. Clark and Agbonlahor are missing altogether, while Sanchez is suspended.

LIVERPOOL XI: Mignolet; Can, Lovren, Skrtel, Moreno, Markovic; Gerrard, Allen, Henderson; Sterling, Coutinho

LIVERPOOL SUBS: Jones, Toure, Manquillo, Johnson, Balotelli, Lambert, Borini

The big news for the Merseyside outfit is that captain Steven Gerrard starts. There's been 'Get Gerrard to Wembley' calls from the Liverpool fans in the midfielder's last season with the club and he will start today.

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Both Gerrard and Martin Skrtel are available again after suspension and both take their places in Brendan Rodgers's starting lineup. There's no Daniel Sturridge in the matchday squad, so Raheem Sterling will lead the line along with Philippe Coutinho.

Gerrard's inclusion is one of two changes, with Lucas Leiva dropping out with a thigh injury. Would Gerrard have started if Lucas was available? Elsewhere, Lazar Markovic comes in for Jordon Ibe.

Turning quickly away from today's game at Wembley, let me just inform you that at half time Manchester City lead West Ham 2-0 at the Etihad. That's bad news for Liverpool as it looks like they will fall seven points behind the top four.

PHOTO: Steven Gerrard's jersey and the official #LFC match pennant hang in the dressing room at Wembley pic.twitter.com/C4vmheZPcA — Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 19, 2015

Here's an impressive stat that bodes well for Mr Gerrard - Steven Gerrard has scored more Premier League goals against Aston Villa than any other side in his career (12).

Time to look at how these two sides reached the last four of English football's most famous cup competition...

HOW VILLA GOT HERE: The Villans have played all four matches at home so far and are even the 'home' side at Wembley today. Their first two games were against Championship teams at opposite ends of the table as they edged out now-relegated Blackpool thanks to Christian Benteke's late strike before defeating promotion-chasing Bournemouth 2-1. In the fifth round there was more late drama in the 2-1 win over Leicester City before last month's 2-0 victory over nearby West Bromwich Albion in the quarter-finals.

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HOW LIVERPOOL GOT HERE: It all began with a Gerrard-inspired 2-1 win at AFC Wimbledon before replays were required against the Lancashire duo of Bolton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers from the Championship in the fourth round and quarter-finals. Both times the lower-league side held the Reds to a goalless stalemate at Anfield before Liverpool came through in the replay. Between those two-legged ties there was a come-from-behind victory at Crystal Palace.

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The omens might be good for Gerrard, but it could also be a good day for Benteke - the Belgian has scored four goals in five Premier League appearances against Liverpool.

You might think that Liverpool have a richer history in the FA Cup than Villa, but the two sides have both won the competition seven times. Liverpool are going for a first win since 2006, while Villa are trying to end a 58-year wait for the crown.

Villa won their first FA Cup way back in 1887, with Liverpool claiming seven titles since their first in 1965. The two clubs have certainly enjoyed differing periods of success.

Liverpool will undoubtedly start the game as favourites, but it certainly won't be easy for them. Villa impressed in their win at Spurs last week and they certainly have shown more heart under Tim Sherwood in the last couple of months. On our pre-match poll, 65.5% of you have picked Liverpool to advance.

H2H: Liverpool claimed a 2-0 victory in the clubs' last meeting in January, but Villa secured a surprise win back in September at Anfield. Gabriel Agbohlahor scored the winner that day and he'll be a big miss for Sherwood today. In the FA Cup, there have been seven meetings, with Villa winning the first but losing the subsequent six.

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More specifically, these two teams have met on three occasions at the semi-final stage of the FA Cup. Villa won in 1897, while Liverpool progressed in 1914 and 1996. Villa went on to win the trophy, but Liverpool were beaten in the final on both occasions.

Villa players have been tweeting pictures of inspirational messages in their dressing room at the national stadium. Will it help them to victory?

Inspirational messages from the fans around the dressing room #FightLikeLions #utv pic.twitter.com/QC3MrI3aHB — Ciaran Clark (@C_Clark_6) April 19, 2015

PREDICTION: Just 10 minutes until we get underway at Anfield, so it's time for my prediction. Liverpool look light in attack, so I think it could be a close, tight game. Like yesterday's first semi, I think we'll see extra time and the bigger team coming through before penalties. Liverpool to win 2-1 after 120 minutes.

The Liverpool fans are in full voice as they await their team at Wembley

You'll Never Walk Alone at Wembley #LFC https://t.co/Yya7i0Ll8a

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 19, 2015

Villa haven't won the FA Cup since 1957, but they have been in one final since - losing to Chelsea in 2000. They might not be safe in the Premier League yet, but if Sherwood can guide them to the Cup final it would be some achievement.

Here come the two sides out of the tunnel. It's a fantastic atmosphere with these two having huge fanbases that have packed out the national stadium.

One thing Villa can't do is let their FA Cup run distract them from their fight against relegation. Wigan Athletic were relegated after winning the competition and are now on the verge of demotion to the third tier. That's very unlikely, but something to be wary of.

KICKOFF! We're underway at Wembley! Liverpool, being the 'away' side are all in yellow, with Villa in their traditional claret and blue colours.

Fast-paced start to the match, but little of note in terms of attacking chances. Villa teenager Grealish has just won a free kick from Can. What a big day it is for the former at just 19 years old.

Liverpool now win a free kick as Markovic is brought down, but like Villa's delivery it is dealt with by the defence. Sherwood will be the more pleased of the two managers as his side look settled and not overawed.

VILLA AT WEMBLEY: What a claret and blue sight before kick-off. #AVFC #FightLikeLions https://t.co/n5hqWWV0RF

— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) April 19, 2015

First shot of the game comes from Liverpool as Coutinho sizes up Bacuna on the left of the area before cutting back for Allen, who leant back and sent a side-footed effort high and wide.

Nice work from Grealish as he bursts into the box and wins a corner off Skrtel. The resulting delivery comes to nothing as the ball beats Benteke for height at the back post.

Sterling's pace will no doubt worry the Villa backline and he beats one man on the edge of the box before his shot has all the sting taken out of it by Vlaar. Given collects easily.

SHOT! Villa go close as N'Zogbia lines up a shot from 20 yards and smacks it with plenty of power. It was probably going over, but Mignolet takes no chances and tips it safely out for a corner.

Vlaar does well to not let Sterling reach a searching ball down the left. So far, the Dutchman has got the better of his younger English counterpart.

PHOTO: Here's some of the early action between @AVFCOfficial and @LFC. 0-0 17min #FACup pic.twitter.com/y5cW9DNpUd

— The FA (@FA) April 19, 2015

Looking at the early stats, Villa have done well to have more of the possession (55%). They've had just one shot, though, compared to Liverpool's three.

Half-hearted appeals for a penalty by Sterling after he went down under Delph's challenge in the box. Today's referee, Michael Oliver, wasn't buying it and points for a goal kick. Replays show that Delph did make contact with Sterling's heel, but the contact was light and a penalty would have been extremely harsh.

And now it's Villa's turn to almost win a spot kick as Grealish feeds Cleverley, who lost his balance when entering the area. To be fair to the midfielder, he didn't dive and got straight back up. Midway through the first half, it's been a very even, cagey game so far.

#AVFC 0-0 #LFC - MATCH PIC: @JackGrealish1 in the thick of things here at Wembley. #AVFCLIVE pic.twitter.com/eDVbSXLylF — Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) April 19, 2015

DID YOU KNOW? Local lad Grealish is trying to emulate his great-great-grandfather Billy, who was named man of the match when Villa beat Newcastle in the 1905 FA Cup final 110 years ago.

VILLA SUB: Tough break for Sherwood and Villa as Baker is forced off with an injury. The centre-back seemed to land awkwardly when challenging for an aerial ball minutes ago. He's replaced by Jores Okore.

First blood to the team in yellow as Coutinho, on his first Wembley appearance, slots them in front. It's poor from Villa as twice they failed to properly clear their lines and Sterling finds the Brazilian, who charged past three claret shirts before dinking over Given.

Looking at replays of the goal, it might actually go down as an own goal. Coutinho appeared to spoon the finish a little and was lucky to see it hit Okore on the knee and bobble over Given.

If it does go down as a Coutinho goal, it will be his third in the FA Cup this season. Three of his last five goals have come in the competition.

How will Villa respond to falling behind? They more than matched Liverpool in the opening half an hour, but did little to threaten Rodgers's side.

That's how to respond! Fabulous goal from Villa as they equalise within six minutes of falling behind. Benteke finished it off with a cool finish, but it's all about Delph. The England midfielder skipped away from his man brilliantly near the halfway line before bombing on and receiving Grealish's pass and cutting it back for the Belgian striker. Fine, fine goal.

From @OptaJoe on Twitter: "Christian Benteke has now scored nine goals in his last seven games for Aston Villa. Form."

Back come Liverpool and their goalscorer Coutinho, who saw his shot deflected out for a corner after neat work from Sterling down the left. The goalkeepers might have hardly been worked, but it's been enthralling viewing so far.

CHANCE! From the resulting corner, Lovren has a free header but it's at least 12 yards out and he misdirects it when trying to generate enough power to beat the goalkeeper and men on the line.

Benteke has scored Villa's last seven goals in all competitions. The Belgian is back!

VILLA 1-1 LIVERPOOL: Fans serenade their hero - @BentekeChris20! #AVFC #FightLikeLions #AVFCLIVE https://t.co/ti4Gi9nofE — Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) April 19, 2015

It looks like both sides are going to settle for a 1-1 half time scoreline. Two minutes added on at the end of the first period.

Moreno gets into a decent position down the left for Liverpool, but his cross is woefully overhit. That will probably be the last action of the half.

HT: @AVFCOfficial 1-1 @LFC #FACup pic.twitter.com/3G3VpOKvZp — The FA (@FA) April 19, 2015

All square at the break then, with Villa pegging Liverpool back quickly after Coutinho (it might have been an Okore own goal) had broken the deadlock. In-form Benteke was the man to equalise after a fine move down the left that involved Delph and Grealish.

It's hard to imagine that Sherwood will be making any changes at the break, but it looks like we might see Mario Balotelli for Liverpool after half time. The enigmatic Italian is going through an extensive warm-up at the break.

Emre Can appeared to be struggling with a knock shortly before the interval, so it's likely that he'll be the man to come off for Balotelli at the start of the second period. That will, of course, mean a change of shape, with Markovic probably having to drop back to right-back as Liverpool go 4-3-3.

STATS: You have to say that it's mightily impressive that Villa had more possession (53%) in the first half. Liverpool had three times as many shots - six to Villa's two - but only one on target and I believe that was the goal, which should go down as an own goal as Coutinho's effort was going wide.

A reminder that the winner of today's game - and there will be a winner today remember - will play Arsenal in the final on May 30.

LIVERPOOL SUB: It's not Can, but Markovic who goes off for Balotelli. It should also mean a deeper role for Gerrard, who saw very little of the ball in the first period.

KICKOFF! Off we go again then.

Early shot in the second half for Villa, but N'Zogbia's effort is nowhere near the target and Mignolet can easily watch it over.

PIC: Here's a great shot of Benteke celebrating Villa's equaliser

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Gerrard might have dropped a little deeper, but he picks the ball up in an advanced position and lines up a pop at goal. In years gone by he'd be deadly from 25 yards, but this effort is high and wide.

Villa have turned it around at Wembley! Again it's a fine team goal involving Benteke, Grealish and Delph. Grealish receives the ball from the former before coolly picking out the latter, who stroked past Mignolet at the near post with his weaker right foot.

Delph certainly enjoys the FA Cup - he's scored as many FA Cup goals for Aston Villa as he has Premier League goals.

Blimey, Liverpool almost hit back straight away as Can's cross is perfect for Balotelli, who somehow heads wide from 10 yards with the goal at his mercy. Fortunately for the Italian, the offside flag was up, so it wouldn't have counted anyway.

That's my 2-1 to Liverpool in extra time prediction out of the window. The Reds will certainly still fancy themselves to get back in it, but it's hard to begrudge Villa the lead at the moment.

Nasty couple of tackles from Moreno as he goes in late on both Cleverley and Grealish. Referee Oliver is yet to show a yellow card today and again is lenient here.

CHANCE! Lethargic again from the Liverpool midfield and Villa almost have a third. Grealish can't quite reach Benteke's through-ball, but it drops for the onrushing Richardson, who makes a real mess with his weaker right foot.

PIC | Villa lead Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley after this goal from Fabian Delph. Join us LIVE http://t.co/r9E0ykGgRe pic.twitter.com/C9N1pwaxGa — Sports Mole (@SportsMole) April 19, 2015

Balotelli wins Liverpool a free kick on the left edge of the box. It's a great position for the Reds, but Gerrard's inswinger is easy for Given to clutch to his belly.

Rodgers must surely be thinking about another change soon. Balotelli hasn't done much since coming on. The attacking options available are Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini - hardly inspiring.

Liverpool have still had just one shot on target and even that wasn't really on target as Coutinho's goal was going wide when it hit Okore's knee. Simply not good enough from the Reds so far today.

VILLA SUB: It's Villa who make the next change as Scott Sinclair, who has good goalscoring record in the FA Cup for Villa this year, replaces N'Zogbia.

2 - Liverpool have conceded more than once in an FA Cup semi-final for the first time since losing 4-3 to Palace in 1990. Stunned.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 19, 2015

LIVERPOOL SUB: A change from Rodgers, but it's hardly an attacking one as Glen Johnson replaces Allen. That will see Can move up into midfield.

BOOKING! First yellow card of the game is shown to Delph, who slid in late on Coutinho. It means a free kick in a great position for Liverpool. Surely not Gerrard?

Nope. The former England captain lifts the ball over the wall but it's straight at Given. Easy save for the Irishman.

With Liverpool pushing more men forward, Villa will have chances on the counter as they do here. Benteke cuts it back to the edge of the box where Cleverley smashes the ball into row X.

VILLA SUB: It was a big day for Grealish and he certainly delivered an excellent performance. It's over now as Joe Cole takes his place. A huge reception from the Villa fans for the local teenager.

CHANCE! Balotelli wins Liverpool a corner and from the set piece Lovren gets ahead of his man but can only plant a header high and wide. Time running out for the team in yellow.

Today's attendance at Wembley is 85,416. At the moment, the Villa fans are the ones set to go home happy.

OFF THE LINE! Almost the big moment for Gerrard! Henderson's outswinging corner is met by the Reds captain, whose looping header leaves Given stranded but can't beat Richardson on the line.

HOWLER! Oh dear, the linesman has had a shocker here. Balotelli is flagged offside by the assistant before putting the ball away. Replays show that the Italian was a good yard behind the last defender.

LIVERPOOL SUB: Moreno off, Lambert on for the Reds.

FOUR minutes of added time remain.

SHOT! Henderson's deep cross is headed back to Sterling by Can. The England international leans back horribly, spooning his attempted curler way over the bar.

CHANCE! All Liverpool in the final few seconds and this time it's Balotelli who misses the target with a header that lands on the roof of the net. Two minutes of added time to go.

Goodness me. What on earth is Lovren doing?! The ball comes his way about 35 yards out and he tries a ridiculous first-timer that goes high into the crowd, allowing Villa time to waste.

Jubilant scenes on the pitch from those in claret and blue as Villa reach their first FA Cup final in 15 years. It won't be a fairytale Wembley ending to Steven Gerrard's Liverpool career.

Full credit to Aston Villa. They fully deserved the win today. The main reason behind the win was their clear passion, something that Liverpool certainly lacked. Despite it being a huge game for Gerrard, he barely turned up, which in all honesty is the sad story of his final season with Liverpool.

His final season in England certainly shouldn't take anything away from a brilliant career, but it's not the way Gerrard would have wanted to end his time as a Premier League player.

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From a manager's point of view, you have to say that Sherwood completely outfoxed Rodgers today. He geed his players up a lot more and they delivered a performance worthy of reaching the FA Cup final. It's hard to say the same about Liverpool.

It's Villa, then, who reach their 11th FA Cup final. They will face holders Arsenal on May 30 and try to end a 58-year wait for one of football's most famous trophies.

Anyway, time for us to say goodbye. Thanks for joining SM this afternoon. Click around on site for loads more reaction to the day's football and keep your eyes peeled for reaction from Wembley. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!