Liverpool v Aston Villa
Anfield
Sunday, 15 May
Kick-off: 1500 BST
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Liverpool will rest skipper Steven Gerrard to give him a chance to recover from a slight thigh muscle strain in time for the Champions League final.
Luis Garcia is out, Jamie Carragher - who has played in every Premiership game this season - may be rested but Djibril Cisse will start.
Aston Villa Nolberto Solano is set to start in place of Thomas Hitzlsperger.
Eric Djemba-Djemba is eyeing a start and on-loan Carlton Cole may be on the bench ahead of his return to Chelsea.
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Liverpool (from): Dudek, Finnan, Hyypia, Carragher, Pellegrino, Traore, Kewell, Biscan, Hamann, Riise, Smicer, Alonso, Nunez, Cisse, Baros, Carson, Warnock, Welsh, Potter.
Aston Villa (from): Sorensen, De La Cruz, Delaney, Laursen, Ridgewell, Samuel, Barry, Solano, Davis, Hendrie, Berson, Whittingham, Hitzlsperger, Vassell, L Moore, Angel, Cole, Djemba-Djemba, Postma.
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BIG-MATCH FACTS
LIVERPOOL wrap up their Premiership programme against Aston Villa in a match on which little hinges. The Merseysiders have not lost in nine at Anfield (six in the Premiership) since the reverse by Manchester United on 15 January. But more important than the result to Rafael Benitez' Reds will be the need to avoid any unwanted injuries ahead of the Champions League final against AC Milan in Istanbul on Wednesday, 25 May 2005.
The Merseysiders have only finished as low as fifth in one of the last five seasons. They already know whatever the result of this match, that they will end the campaign on their second lowest points tally ever in a Premiership campaign. They currently have 55, just one more than was accrued in 1998/99 when they ended the season in seventh place. The record 18 times "Champions of England" haven't won the crown since 1990.
The Reds are unbeaten in seven League and Cup matches against Aston Villa. Last season they ground out a 1-0 victory when Michael Owen celebrated his return after a long injury lay-off. Mark Delaney's first half own goal settled the issue. Now Liverpool are seeking their 50th home League victory over the Midlanders.
ASTON VILLA go into the match on the bottom rung of the top half, and will be keen to maintain that and bag in excess of five million pounds in merit payment prize money. Having said that, the Villans have only finished outside the top eight once in the nine previous seasons since the Premiership was reduced to 20 teams. This will also be the lowest ranked side David O'Leary has supervised in his six-season managerial career.
Villa have not won in four, and go into the game intent on avoiding a third successive defeat. They won three matches in this Premiership season from a losing position. It's a record beaten only by Liverpool, with four wins from matches in which they were in arrears.
Villa have drawn three of their last four Premiership meetings with Liverpool, including this season's reverse fixture. A 30 yard free-kick from Nol Solano cancelled out Harry Kewell's first goal in 33 matches for Liverpool. The Claret and Blues have not beaten Liverpool since a 1-3 triumph at Anfield on 8 September 2002 - their only maximum in five League trips to Anfield.
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Referee:
Barry Knight (Orpington)
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SEQUENCES/RECENT FORM
LIVERPOOL
Club stats
Fixtures
5th 55 points
Highest achievable: 5th (Merit payment: £7,600,000)
Lowest could fall: 7th (£6,650,000)
59th match of the season in all competitions.
Completed seven Premiership draws this season - no club has finished level less often.
Won three and drawn two of the 13 games in which they were behind at half time.
Failed to score in 13 top League clashes. Only Blackburn (16) have fired blanks more frequently.
Dropped more points from Premiership matches in which they had failed to score than any other club (38).
Won more top tier games from a losing position than any other club (four).
One of four clubs to hold an unbeaten record in matches in which they have opening the scoring. Won 12 and drawn four of the 16.
Unbeaten in nine at home in all competitions.
Won six and drawn three at Anfield since losing 0-1 to Manchester United in the Premiership on 15 January.
Not lost in six home Premiership matches, picking up 12 points from the possible 18.
Lost three highest division encounters at home. Only Chelsea (unbeaten) and Arsenal and Manchester United (one each) have lost at home less often.
Collected 19 more points at home than away. Only Norwich have an equal such disparity.
Conceded 14 League goals on home turf. Just Chelsea (six), Manchester United (12) and Manchester City (13) have tighter home defences in the Premiership.
ASTON VILLA
Club stats
Fixtures
10th 47 points
Highest achievable: 10th (Merit payment: £5,225,000)
Lowest could fall: 11th (£4,750,000)
Lost the last two - both Premiership - against Tottenham (5-1 a) and Manchester City (1-2 h).
Not won in four.
Drawn two and lost two since beating Southampton 2-3 away on 16 April.
Won three top tier matches from a losing position. Only Liverpool have claimed maximum points more often in games in which they were trailing (four).
Of the 50 goals conceded, 33 have been shipped in the first half (66%). That is the highest such percentage in the top tier.
Conceded 10 goals in the first 15 minutes of Premiership contests.
Won three of the last five away Premiership matches.
Lost seven of the last 11 away from home in the top table.
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KEY PLAYER NOTES/POTENTIAL MILESTONES
LIVERPOOL
Squad profiles
If on the field from the outset, Igor BISCAN will be making his 50th Premiership start for Liverpool.
If he runs out, Dietmar HAMANN will be making his 250th appearance for the Merseysiders.
Jamie CARRAGHER is the only player to have figured in every minute of every one of Liverpool's Premiership matches this season.
ASTON VILLA
Squad profiles
Nol SOLANO is a hat trick short of scoring 50 goals for English clubs (Newcastle and Aston Villa).
If on the field from the outset, SOLANO will be making his 200th Premiership start.
Should he play, Thomas HITZLSPERGER will be making his 100th Premiership appearance for the Claret and Blues.
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LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME:
Liverpool 1-0 Aston Villa
10 January 2004 - Ref: Graham Barber
Liverpool scorer: Delaney 36 og
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THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE:
Aston Villa 1-1 Liverpool
4 December 2004 - Ref: Mark Halsey
Villa Liverpool scorers: Solano 44
Liverpool scorer: Kewell 16
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HEAD TO HEAD TOTALS
League: Liverpool 73 wins, Villa 51, Draws 35
Prem: Liverpool 12 wins, Villa 8, Draws 5
HEAD TO HEAD at Liverpool
League: Liverpool 49 wins, Villa 14, Draws 16
Prem: Liverpool 7 wins, Villa 3, Draws 2
Sunday, 15 May
Kick-off: 1500 BST
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Liverpool will rest skipper Steven Gerrard to give him a chance to recover from a slight thigh muscle strain in time for the Champions League final.
Luis Garcia is out, Jamie Carragher - who has played in every Premiership game this season - may be rested but Djibril Cisse will start.
Aston Villa Nolberto Solano is set to start in place of Thomas Hitzlsperger.
Eric Djemba-Djemba is eyeing a start and on-loan Carlton Cole may be on the bench ahead of his return to Chelsea.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liverpool (from): Dudek, Finnan, Hyypia, Carragher, Pellegrino, Traore, Kewell, Biscan, Hamann, Riise, Smicer, Alonso, Nunez, Cisse, Baros, Carson, Warnock, Welsh, Potter.
Aston Villa (from): Sorensen, De La Cruz, Delaney, Laursen, Ridgewell, Samuel, Barry, Solano, Davis, Hendrie, Berson, Whittingham, Hitzlsperger, Vassell, L Moore, Angel, Cole, Djemba-Djemba, Postma.
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BIG-MATCH FACTS
LIVERPOOL wrap up their Premiership programme against Aston Villa in a match on which little hinges. The Merseysiders have not lost in nine at Anfield (six in the Premiership) since the reverse by Manchester United on 15 January. But more important than the result to Rafael Benitez' Reds will be the need to avoid any unwanted injuries ahead of the Champions League final against AC Milan in Istanbul on Wednesday, 25 May 2005.
The Merseysiders have only finished as low as fifth in one of the last five seasons. They already know whatever the result of this match, that they will end the campaign on their second lowest points tally ever in a Premiership campaign. They currently have 55, just one more than was accrued in 1998/99 when they ended the season in seventh place. The record 18 times "Champions of England" haven't won the crown since 1990.
The Reds are unbeaten in seven League and Cup matches against Aston Villa. Last season they ground out a 1-0 victory when Michael Owen celebrated his return after a long injury lay-off. Mark Delaney's first half own goal settled the issue. Now Liverpool are seeking their 50th home League victory over the Midlanders.
ASTON VILLA go into the match on the bottom rung of the top half, and will be keen to maintain that and bag in excess of five million pounds in merit payment prize money. Having said that, the Villans have only finished outside the top eight once in the nine previous seasons since the Premiership was reduced to 20 teams. This will also be the lowest ranked side David O'Leary has supervised in his six-season managerial career.
Villa have not won in four, and go into the game intent on avoiding a third successive defeat. They won three matches in this Premiership season from a losing position. It's a record beaten only by Liverpool, with four wins from matches in which they were in arrears.
Villa have drawn three of their last four Premiership meetings with Liverpool, including this season's reverse fixture. A 30 yard free-kick from Nol Solano cancelled out Harry Kewell's first goal in 33 matches for Liverpool. The Claret and Blues have not beaten Liverpool since a 1-3 triumph at Anfield on 8 September 2002 - their only maximum in five League trips to Anfield.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Referee:
Barry Knight (Orpington)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEQUENCES/RECENT FORM
LIVERPOOL
Club stats
Fixtures
5th 55 points
Highest achievable: 5th (Merit payment: £7,600,000)
Lowest could fall: 7th (£6,650,000)
59th match of the season in all competitions.
Completed seven Premiership draws this season - no club has finished level less often.
Won three and drawn two of the 13 games in which they were behind at half time.
Failed to score in 13 top League clashes. Only Blackburn (16) have fired blanks more frequently.
Dropped more points from Premiership matches in which they had failed to score than any other club (38).
Won more top tier games from a losing position than any other club (four).
One of four clubs to hold an unbeaten record in matches in which they have opening the scoring. Won 12 and drawn four of the 16.
Unbeaten in nine at home in all competitions.
Won six and drawn three at Anfield since losing 0-1 to Manchester United in the Premiership on 15 January.
Not lost in six home Premiership matches, picking up 12 points from the possible 18.
Lost three highest division encounters at home. Only Chelsea (unbeaten) and Arsenal and Manchester United (one each) have lost at home less often.
Collected 19 more points at home than away. Only Norwich have an equal such disparity.
Conceded 14 League goals on home turf. Just Chelsea (six), Manchester United (12) and Manchester City (13) have tighter home defences in the Premiership.
ASTON VILLA
Club stats
Fixtures
10th 47 points
Highest achievable: 10th (Merit payment: £5,225,000)
Lowest could fall: 11th (£4,750,000)
Lost the last two - both Premiership - against Tottenham (5-1 a) and Manchester City (1-2 h).
Not won in four.
Drawn two and lost two since beating Southampton 2-3 away on 16 April.
Won three top tier matches from a losing position. Only Liverpool have claimed maximum points more often in games in which they were trailing (four).
Of the 50 goals conceded, 33 have been shipped in the first half (66%). That is the highest such percentage in the top tier.
Conceded 10 goals in the first 15 minutes of Premiership contests.
Won three of the last five away Premiership matches.
Lost seven of the last 11 away from home in the top table.
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KEY PLAYER NOTES/POTENTIAL MILESTONES
LIVERPOOL
Squad profiles
If on the field from the outset, Igor BISCAN will be making his 50th Premiership start for Liverpool.
If he runs out, Dietmar HAMANN will be making his 250th appearance for the Merseysiders.
Jamie CARRAGHER is the only player to have figured in every minute of every one of Liverpool's Premiership matches this season.
ASTON VILLA
Squad profiles
Nol SOLANO is a hat trick short of scoring 50 goals for English clubs (Newcastle and Aston Villa).
If on the field from the outset, SOLANO will be making his 200th Premiership start.
Should he play, Thomas HITZLSPERGER will be making his 100th Premiership appearance for the Claret and Blues.
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LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME:
Liverpool 1-0 Aston Villa
10 January 2004 - Ref: Graham Barber
Liverpool scorer: Delaney 36 og
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THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE:
Aston Villa 1-1 Liverpool
4 December 2004 - Ref: Mark Halsey
Villa Liverpool scorers: Solano 44
Liverpool scorer: Kewell 16
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HEAD TO HEAD TOTALS
League: Liverpool 73 wins, Villa 51, Draws 35
Prem: Liverpool 12 wins, Villa 8, Draws 5
HEAD TO HEAD at Liverpool
League: Liverpool 49 wins, Villa 14, Draws 16
Prem: Liverpool 7 wins, Villa 3, Draws 2
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