Preview: Liverpool vs. Aston Villa

Liverpool take on Aston Villa at Anfield this weekend as they eye three consecutive victories in the Premier League.

The Merseyside outfit can close the gap on the top four places in the league table after they moved into 10th position, four points adrift of a Champions League spot.

Meanwhile, Villa are falling deeper into a relegation battle as they currently sit outside of the bottom three on goal difference alone so manager Paul Lambert will be hoping to take the urgency from their League Cup 4-1 win over Norwich City into the clash on Merseyside.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers will welcome back striker Luis Suarez to the side following the Uruguayan's suspension from the Reds' 3-2 win over West Ham United last week, while Jonjo Shelvey could retain his place in the side but drop back into midfield from last weekend's forward role.

Villa are likely to be without striker Darren Bent after he picked up an injury in the side's League Cup clash in midweek, despite returning to the side after a lengthy snub from boss Lambert.

Recent form

Liverpool: WDLWW

Aston Villa: LDWDD

Possible lineups

Liverpool: Reina; Wisdom, Skrtel, Agger, Johnson; Lucas, Allen, Gerrard; Shelvey; Sterling, Suarez

Aston Villa: Guzan; Lowton, Baker, Clark, Lichaj; Herd; Holman, Westwood, Bannan; Benteke, Agbonlahor

Sports Mole says: 2-1