'How to beat Villa? Control the midfield'
Villa fan James Laishley provides the view from the opposition ahead of Saturday's encounter at Anfield.
Why haven't things been working for Villa this season?
It's been a difficult couple of years at Villa Park after the money ran out and we had no major funds to spend on players. This year we've bought in a lot of lower league talent so it's a very young squad. They're still trying to gel but it won't happen overnight. Paul Lambert was a popular choice and the fans are willing to give him time.
Best way to beat Villa?
Defensively we're average and up front we're okay because of Christian Benteke but our midfield is definitely our weakest area. If Liverpool can take advantage of the midfield, they won't struggle too much.
You can get a result at Anfield because...
We're five games unbeaten in all competitions, which isn't a bad little run for us. We comfortably beat Norwich at Carrow Road in the week so confidence should be high. Benteke may have scored only six in 16 but he raises his game against big opposition (see United) and he's been a revelation. We don't have many leaders within the team at the moment but Christian is somebody we can rely on.
What have you made of us under Rodgers?
Much like Villa, you seem to be in a transitional period. Both clubs have had a few different managers over the last three of four seasons and both clubs have found stability with managers new to the Premier League. Liverpool took a while to get going but you seem to have found your form now. Rodgers is known to be a manager that likes to play nice football and I think that will start to show at Liverpool over the next few months.
Liverpool player you'd love to sign?
I think Suarez would complement Benteke nicely up top! Besides him, we could do with a couple of players with experience - Gerrard and Johnson?
What makes you most proud to be a Villa fan?
Villa are a team with a fantastic history and great tradition. We're still a 'big' club although our form may not show this at the moment. We can still attract a decent enough calibre of talent because of who we are and our history in Europe. Also a special mention to the fans who have all come together for the 19th minute round of applause for Stan Petrov, dedicated to the club captain currently battling leukaemia.
Your all-time favourite Villa song?
Got to be our version of Kum Ba Yah. It's a 'hymn' dedicated to the man known as God at Villa, Paul McGrath. It's your round my lord, it's your round!
Prediction?
Well I usually go for a Liverpool win or draw and get it wrong so I'm going to go for a Villa win this time. 2-1 Villa.
[OTPA_WIDGET_CONTENT]
Fancy picking up some FREE Warrior goodies, eating a few mince pies, enjoying a Christmas choir, taking part in a reindeer rodeo and playing footy on an inflatable pitch? Head to Anfield's Family Park pre-match on Saturday.