Aston Villa

Liverpool v Aston Villa
Liverpool trio Craig Bellamy, Dirk Kuyt and Fabio Aurelio are all set to miss out with calf injuries. Winger Mark Gonzalez is sidelined by a groin problem while Harry Kewell (groin and foot) is a long-term absentee. Aston Villa goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen is available after missing the midweek Carling Cup win with a sore shoulder. Wilfred Bouma is poised to earn a call-up at left-back and Milan Baros should keep his place in attack but Gavin McCann (calf) is ruled out. Liverpool (from): Reina, Martin, Finnan, Carragher, Agger, Warnock, Paletta, Hyypia, Riise, Luis Garcia, Gerrard, Zenden, Sissoko, Xabi Alonso, Pennant, Crouch, Fowler. Aston Villa (from): Sorensen, Taylor, Hughes, Mellberg, Ridgewell, Bouma, Agbonlahor, Petrov, Davis, Barry, Angel, Barry, Osbourne, Laursen, Agathe, Sutton, Gardner, Whittingham, Cahill, Djemba-Djemba. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez: \"The players are really focused and scoring four good goals in midweek can be really good for the confidence of the team and we want to continue that against Aston Villa. \"Aston Villa will be a tough game because they are playing really well and they have a very good manager in Martin O'Neill who has experience but our only focus is to win the game. \"I was really pleased to see Robbie Fowler score in midweek and he is training well and I am really pleased for him.\" Aston Villa striker Juan Pablo Angel: \"It's alright to remain unbeaten but we have to start winning games if we want to compete for those top places. \"The expectation has grown in the last few weeks because of our performances and we have shown people we can compete in the higher part of the table. \"The confidence is high. An indication of the change in atmosphere here is even though we didn't lose against Fulham last weekend, we are disappointed. \"That was because we think we can do much better than that.\"

Liverpool 3-1 Aston Villa
Liverpool produced their best display of the season to hand Aston Villa their first league defeat of the campaign. The home side were 3-0 up at half-time, Dirk Kuyt volleying Liverpool in front, before Peter Crouch added the second with another first-time effort. Steven Gerrard, Kuyt and Crouch then linked to set up Luis Garcia, who slipped the ball under Thomas Sorensen. Early in the second half Gerrard hit the post before Gabriel Agbonlahor's incisive finish reduced the deficit. Agbonlahor broke clear of the Liverpool defence to collect a pass from Chris Sutton, who was one of two substitutions made by Martin O'Neill at the start of the second half after Villa's lacklustre performance in the opening period. Sutton came desperately close to scoring his first goal for Villa when his flicked header was superbly tipped away by Jose Reina. The former Celtic striker then tried to turn a Steve Davis shot past Reina. The frustration for Villa was that until that mini second-half revival they were unable to show the form that had brought them to Anfield unbeaten in their previous nine Premiership games. But they can have few complaints at the half-time scoreline after failing to establish any sort of connection with their forwards Juan Pablo Angel and former Liverpool striker Milan Baros. Liverpool proved much more adept at finding their forwards Kuyt and Crouch. Kuyt had missed an early chance after Garcia had crossed, while Crouch went close with a downward header. John Arne Riise then tried his luck with a couple of powerful shots. Liverpool finally found the solution to turning possession into goals on 31 minutes. Kuyt's goal came from an unusual source - Liverpool's central defensive partnership of Jamie Carragher and Sami Hyypia. Carragher's flighted pass was headed on by Hyypia to Kuyt, who after controlling the ball on his chest, arrowed a volley past Sorensen. Steve Finnan picked up the attacking baton from his fellow defenders to help create Liverpool's second. Liverpool had kept possession well before Kuyt played the ball out to Finnan, who swung in a cross from the right. As the ball came into the box Crouch extended his right leg to guide a volley down and past Sorensen. If Liverpool's opening two goals had owed much to the attacking play of their defenders, the home side's third saw their forwards combine in a flowing move. Gerrard, Kuyt and Crouch swiftly exchanged passes on the edge of the Villa box to set up the marauding Garcia, who sidefooted home. Soon after the break Gerrard came close when he rattled the post after Villa failed to clear the ball. Garcia might have had a second goal after he collected a pass from Gerrard, but the Spaniard put the ball the wrong side of the post. In stoppage time substitute Robbie Fowler came close to scoring on his 350th appearance for Liverpool.

Villa chairman to fund cup trip
Aston Villa chairman Randy Lerner will pay for 6,000 fans to travel to next week's Carling Cup game at Chelsea. Lerner's gesture comes after manager Martin O'Neill praised the fans who travelled to Leicester in the last round of the competition. \"The manager was overwhelmed by the fantastic support we had and made the chairman aware of that,\" a Villa spokesman said on the club website. \"This is his way of trying to help the fans get down to Stamford Bridge.\" Villa progressed to the fourth round of the Carling Cup as a result of a 3-2 win of the Foxes at the Walkers Stadium. The visitors needed a goal from youngster Gabriel Agbonlahor in extra-time to secure their passage.

Aston Villa v Blackburn
Gavin McCann looks set to return to the Aston Villa starting XI after sitting out three games with a calf injury. Milan Baros and Juan Pablo Angel will lead the line with Chris Sutton still short of full-match fitness, despite a good substitute showing at Liverpool. Blackburn's Robbie Savage is out of contention and could be sidelined for a month with a hamstring injury. Fellow midfielder Brett Emerton is also a doubt as he is struggling with a hamstring strain of his own. Aston Villa (from): Sorensen, Taylor, Hughes, Mellberg, Ridgewell, Laursen, Bouma, Davis, Petrov, McCann, Agathe, Barry, Osbourne, Berger, Angel, Baros, Sutton, Whittingham, Gardner, Agbonlahor, Djemba-Djemba. Blackburn (from): Friedel, Brown, Neill, Emerton, Khizanishvili, Ooijer, Todd, Henchoz, Gray, McEveley, Bentley, Tugay, Mokoena, Peter, Pedersen, Nonda, McCarthy, Jeffers, Gallagher. # Blackburn boss Mark Hughes: \"Since they have had a change of management with Martin O'Neill coming in this season they have been on a great run of results. \"We've always found it hard going to Villa Park and that will be certainly the case this time as there is a buzz and anticipation about the place. \"But teams of the like of Aston Villa we have to overcome.\"

Chelsea v Aston Villa
Chelsea will be without captain John Terry as he serves a one-match ban for his red card against Tottenham. Striker Andriy Shevchenko has returned to training following a leg muscle problem and is available. Aston Villa defender Liam Ridgewell has recovered from illness but might struggle to displace the fit-again Martin Laursen. Villa boss Martin O'Neill must decide whether to continue with Chris Sutton or recall Milan Baros. Chelsea (from): Hilario, Ferreira, Carvalho, A Cole, Makelele, Essien, Lampard, Ballack, Robben, Drogba, Shevchenko, Cudicini, Boulahrouz, J Cole, Wright-Phillips, Kalou, Geremi, Diarra. Aston Villa (from): Sorensen, Hughes, Mellberg, Ridgewell, Laursen, Bouma, Agbonlahor, Davis, Petrov, Barry, Angel, Sutton, Baros, Taylor, Davis, Cahill, Osbourne.

Everton 0-1 Aston Villa
Chris Sutton opened his Aston Villa goal account to give Martin O'Neill's side their first Premiership away win this season at Everton. He glanced home Isaiah Osbourne's cross three minutes before half-time. Everton endured a miserable afternoon, with midfielder Tim Cahill stretchered off early on after an accidental clash with team-mate Lee Carsley. Andrew Johnson and Lee Carsley missed easy chances, but Everton keeper Tim Howard twice saved from Stilian Petrov. It was the perfect tonic for Villa after their Carling Cup thrashing at Chelsea, but Everton's early-season optimism is swiftly evaporating. Villa were without injured duo Gareth Barry and Martin Laursen, while Everton had Johnson alone up front with James McFadden suspended. Johnson wasted an opportunity to give Everton the breakthrough after 13 minutes when he escaped the attentions of the Villa defence, but he hesitated rather than pass to the unmarked Simon Davies and the chance was lost. Everton suffered a serious blow six minutes later when influential midfield man Cahill was stretchered off after he was accidentally caught by team-mate Carsley in a tackle. He was replaced by James Beattie, but Everton's problems increased when Villa took the lead three minutes before half-time. Gabriel Agbonlahor found Osbourne, and his cross was headed beyond Everton keeper Howard by Sutton's deft touch. Johnson then somehow missed from point-blank range in first-half injury time as Everton searched desperately for a spark of inspiration. Petrov then almost doubled Villa's lead in the closing seconds of the half, but Howard saved well diving to his right. Carsley was guilty of a miss every bit as bad as Johnson's after 48 minutes, slicing hopelessly wide with only Thomas Sorensen to beat. Everton pressed, but without any real quality, and it was Villa who almost doubled their lead after 71 minutes when Howard again saved well from Gavin McCann's crisp 30-yard effort. Beattie had endured a miserable afternoon, but he almost levelled for Everton seconds later when his volley was fumbled by Sorensen but flew wide. Villa were actually creating the clearer chances despite Everton's territorial domination, and Howard came to the rescue again with a fine block from Petrov.

Villa consider recalling Hendrie
Aston Villa's growing injury list could prompt boss Martin O'Neill to recall Lee Hendrie from a loan spell at Stoke. The loss of Luke Moore (shoulder) and Martin Laursen (knee) to long-term injuries has stretched Villa's already limited resources. O'Neill said: \"Recalling Lee is a distinct possibility, he is at Stoke for two months but we can recall him at any time if we want him. \"As he gets fitter with every game, it can only be better news for us.\" O'Neill has one of the smallest squads in the Premiership and is considering adding to it in the January transfer window. The former Celtic manager, who has guided Villa to fourth spot in the Premiership, did not make wholesale changes to his squad upon his appointment. Villa owner Randy Lerner has made it clear funds are available and O'Neill said: \"Myself and Mr Lerner have talked about trying to strengthen the squad. \"I had to try and get some idea of the quality of our squad before I started delving into the market. \"Obviously, I signed Stiliyan Petrov and there was the possibility of getting James Milner from Newcastle which fell through, but that's the way it goes.\" Villa face a testing schedule of 10 games before O'Neill can consider adding to his squad in the January transfer window.

Osbourne set for new Villa deal
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill is hopeful midfielder Isaiah Osbourne will sign a new long-term contract before the end of the month. The 19-year-old made his Premiership debut as a substitute against Fulham last month. \"I hope he signs. Certainly within the next fortnight we hope to have the contract sorted out,\" said O'Neill. Gareth Barry is set to return to action in Sunday's clash with Wigan after recovering from a bruised back. The Aston Villa captain, 25, suffered the injury in last week's Carling Cup game against Chelsea, that consequently kept him out of last Saturday's Premiership win over Everton.

O'Neill issues challenge to Baros
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has given striker Milan Baros two months to prove himself. Baros, 25, equalised for the Czech Republic against Denmark on Wednesday but has struggled to make an impression since O'Neill's summer arrival. O'Neill told the Birmingham Post: \"I'm going to reserve judgement on a few things for a bit longer. \"There's no doubt if he can get back to his best he should be an asset, but he has to perform on the pitch.\" Baros arrived at Villa Park in a £6.5m deal from Liverpool in August 2005. But in a season and a half in the West Midlands, he has scored just eight goals in 27 Premiership appearances and is yet to open his account this season. The Czech striker was lined up to move to Hamburg during the summer but it fell through when the German club failed to meet Villa's valuation. Baros has been plagued by a foot injury and O'Neill accepts that has affected the striker's fitness and confidence. O'Neill said: \"He's obviously cost the club a sizeable amount of money, come with a biggish reputation and has scored goals in international football. \"Maybe he thought it would be easier for him to adapt but football is not like that. \"It's not as difficult if you've got loads of ability, you're fit and fresh and raring to go and have confidence, but confidence isn't as great as he'd want at the moment. \"We have a new fitness scheme but no matter what you do, and you can encourage and cajole, but eventually it is down to the player. \"Once I make my mind I may stick with it, but at the moment I'm deliberating.\"

Sheff Utd v Aston Villa
Sheffield United could have midfielders Mikele Leigertwood and Alan Quinn back in contention after they missed the win over Charlton with knocks. But Neil warnock has no fresh injury concerns and faces the dilemma of whether to change a winning side. Sheffield United (from): Kenny, Bromby, Morgan, Jagielka, Hulse, A Quinn, S Quinn, Kazim-Richards, Kozluk, Gillespie, Leigertwood, Geary, Nade, Webber, Montgomery, Law, Bennett, Short, Kabba. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill: \"Overall I've been very pleased with the players but we have to be absolutely at full stretch at this minute to compete with any one of the sides because we can get turned over and I think we know it. \"Sometimes, despite the fact you might have a bit of confidence from the games, then thoughts of last season's struggle might come back. I prefer to stay with this year and try and drive it on from here.\"

Sheff Utd 2-2 Aston Villa
Sheffield United and Aston Villa each climbed a place in the Premiership table after an entertaining draw. Villa came out of the blocks fast with Stiliyan Petrov slamming in a first goal for the club within two minutes. Chris Sutton also hit the bar but Villa failed to take advantage of lacklustre hosts who bounced back after the break. Stephen Quinn's volley from a long throw drew the Blades level and Danny Webber hooked in a second, but within seconds Milan Baros pounced to level. It was a fair result in a match that epitomised the cliche of a game of two halves after a remarkable turnaround from the hosts. They fell behind on 76 seconds when the recalled Sutton linked up on the edge of the area with Petrov, and after the striker's initial shot was blocked by Leigh Bromby, the Bulgarian struck. More than a quarter of the game had gone before United found their feet and belatedly pushed forward with anything approaching menace. But that only buoyed Villa and the verve of their play suggested a first win in a month was there for the taking. Sutton, back from a calf injury, headed a floated Petrov free-kick on to the crossbar and but for a fine double save by Paddy Kenny from Gary Cahill, Villa would have doubled their lead following a teasing Petrov cross. Having failed to muster a shot on goal of any significance in the first half, United took a leaf out of Villa's book and took the game to their visitors from the off after the interval. Quinn's first senior goal for United, after Liam Ridgewell mis-directed a header from a long Rob Kozluk throw into his path in the box, signalled a change in momentum. Suddenly the Blades had found a cutting edge and looked the more likely victors. Rob Hulse headed powerfully straight at Villa goalkeeper Stuart Taylor from Keith Gillespie's corner before Webber put the hosts ahead. United worked a short corner before sending in a deep cross, Chris Morgan climbed above Gavin McCann and Webber hooked the captain's header in. But Bramall Lane was still celebrating when Baros thundered a shot beyond Kenny from close range 44 seconds later. Steven Davis clipped a ball into the box, Sutton drew two defenders and Baros found himself in an ocean of space to pick his spot and crack in the flick-on from his strike partner for a first goal in eight months. That lack of concentration at the back ultimately cost United a third successive Premiership victory. The tempo of the game continued to increase and both teams had chances to find a winner, but there was to be no fifth goal in a topsy-turvy, end-to-end match. Hulse and substitute Christian Nade saw efforts blocked in an almighty goalmouth scramble after Taylor had initially saved well low to his left. And Quinn forced a fine block from Taylor, who ended the game limping, with a rasping shot from the angle. At the other end Gabriel Agbonlahor wasted a chance before Petrov had Kenny scrambling across his goalmouth with an injury-time free-kick which whistled wide. Villa's seventh draw in nine away games meant they missed out on the chance to climb into the top five, while the Blades are now three points above the relegation zone. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock: \"What a great game it was, but for a manager it's a bit of a nightmare. We just give teams massive lifts. \"We claw our way back into it and then we celebrate and give the ball away. \"A sloppy pass from Webbs on halfway and they end up scoring a goal. I wish I'd taken him off when he'd scored.\" Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill: \"We got ourselves a goal in front and could have been two, three, four up and out of sight. But we weren't able to nail it. \"We were absolutely in control, but then had to rely on another brilliant goal to get something from the game. \"Creatively we were excellent and there were many great things to take out of the game, but obviously we'll have to do better defending the set-pieces.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sheff Utd: Kenny, Kozluk, Bromby, Morgan, Geary, Gillespie, Jagielka, Montgomery, Stephen Quinn, Hulse, Webber (Nade 68). Subs Not Used: Davis, Alan Quinn, Armstrong, Kazim-Richards. Booked: Kozluk, Bromby. Goals: Stephen Quinn 50, Webber 64. Aston Villa: Taylor, Mellberg, Cahill, Ridgewell, Bouma (Hughes 67), Agbonlahor, McCann, Petrov, Davis (Osbourne 75), Sutton (Angel 83), Baros. Subs Not Used: Olejnik, Gardner. Booked: Cahill. Goals: Petrov 2, Baros 64. Att: 30,957 Ref: M Halsey (Lancashire).

Angel escapes action over 'elbow'
Aston Villa's Juan Pablo Angel will not face Football Association disciplinary action over his alleged elbow on Sheffield United's Chris Morgan. Blades boss Neil Warnock accused Angel of a deliberate elbow during Monday's 2-2 draw between the two teams. But referee Mark Halsey said in his FA report he did see the incident and that he chose not to discipline Angel. As a result, under Fifa regulations, the FA is unable to take any retrospective action. Angel is thought to have objected to a push from Morgan and reacted by elbowing the Blades captain. Morgan ran down the tunnel after Angel upon the final whistle and was closely followed by United's assistant manager Stuart McCall. Warnock told SSB: \"Angel elbowed Morgan in the box. Chris was disgusted by it and there's no need for it, it was such a good game. \"The television replays have just shown exactly what Chris said, that he was elbowed. \"It was a good tough game, a real cracker to be honest, but now we end up talking more about this one incident than the game. \"Having said that, it's a hard game to referee at the moment. Premiership football is played at an unbelievable pace and you are going to make mistakes.\" Villa boss Martin O'Neill added: \"There was a kerfuffle in the tunnel afterwards. There were a few words exchanged but there was nothing thrown. \"It was not too dissimilar to what happens in most tunnels at the end of a game. \"There were a few people separating things but it shouldn't spoil what was a pretty exciting game and I think we more than played our part.\"

Villa sign keeper Kiraly as cover
Aston Villa have signed Crystal Palace goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly on loan. The club were given special dispensation to make a move for the 30-year-old Hungarian international as their regular stoppers are injured. Stuart Taylor, 26, has undergone surgery after injuring a knee in Monday's draw with Sheffield United and will miss the festive campaign. And Thomas Sorensen, 30, is also out of action with a knee problem, leaving Robert Olejnik as the only fit option. However, the 20-year-old has yet to make his Premiership debut. Kiraly has only recently returned to Palace after spending a fortnight on loan with West Ham United in November, where he provided cover for the Hammers from the bench. He will be included in the Villa squad for the weekend match against Bolton. Taylor is understandably disappointed that his first extended run in the side has been ended by injury. He told the Villa website: \"I am absolutely gutted, there is no other word for it. \"I can't believe this has happened just as I was getting a run in the team. \"Thomas' injury meant I was getting a chance to prove myself for the first time - but it was obviously not meant to be. \"There is nothing I can do about it though. I just have to focus on getting back to full fitness then I can push Thomas for the shirt again.\"

Aston Villa v Bolton
On-loan Crystal Palace keeper Gabor Kiraly will make his Aston Villa debut, with Thomas Sorensen and Stuart Taylor sidelined with knee injuries. Gareth Barry returns after suspension and defender Wilfred Bouma is fit for selection despite a head wound. Bolton striker El Hadji Diouf serves a one-match ban but Tal Ben Haim is back after suspension. Quinton Fortune is again out with an Achilles problem, while Joey O'Brien remains on the long-term injured list. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aston Villa (from): Kiraly, Ojenik, Hughes, Mellberg, Ridgewell, Cahill, Bouma, Barry, Agbonlahor, Petrov, McCann, Davis, Angel, Baros, Sutton, Whittingham, Agathe, Gardner, Osbourne. Bolton (from): Jaaskelainen, Hunt, Meite, Faye, Pedersen, Gardner, Ben Haim, Speed, Campo, Nolan, Giannakopoulos, Anelka, Davies, Vaz Te, Al Habsi, Tal, Fojut. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill: \"If we can get a bit of confidence at home and get the crowd stirred up that would be great. We need to raise the level of the players. \"The supporters have seen us at Sheffield United, they know we're battling like men. \"Now for the first time, it's up to the crowd to lift us. The supporters can play a huge part.\" Bolton manager Sam Allardyce: \"First and foremost it is about not losing. \"It is unlikely we will score as many at Villa as we did last weekend when we beat West Ham 4-0. \"But if we can emulate what we were doing earlier in the season when we were winning away, I will be happy.\"

Aston Villa 0-1 Bolton
A 75th-minute penalty from Gary Speed helped Bolton snatch the points against the run of play at Villa Park. Speed converted from the spot after Nicolas Anelka had been bundled down inside the box by Stilian Petrov. The visitors had goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen to thank after a string of brilliant saves denied the home side. Craig Gardner and Chris Sutton had the best chances for Villa in the second half, but neither man could not find a way past Jaaskelainen. The result was harsh on Villa, who produced plenty of chances in both the first and second half. Gabriel Agbonlahor was a constant threat to Bolton on the right flank - and it was the winger who created the first clear-cut chance for Villa in the first half. His incisive cross sparked a goalmouth scramble and Abdoulaye Meite was forced to clear after Sutton's shot was blocked on the line. The England Under-21 international again used his ample pace to collect a brilliant defence-splitting pass from Liam Ridgewell, but his acute shot agonisingly curled across the face of goal on 30 minutes. The home side should have taken the lead five minutes after half time. Agbonlahor's well-directed header found Craig Gardner unmarked inside the six-yard box, but his shot was well saved by Jaaskelainen. The Finnish keeper again came to Bolton's rescue when he brilliantly tipped Gary Cahill's powerful 30-yard strike past his left post on 66 minutes. Agbonlahor once again had the home fans on their feet when he raced past Henrik Pedersen into the Bolton box, but Jaaskelainen forced the winger to shoot wide into the side netting on 72 minutes. But the complexion of the game came when referee Mark Clattenburg pointed to the spot after Petrov bundled over Anelka in the box. Speed smashed the penalty right down the middle of debut Villa keeper's Gabor Kiraly's goal, much to the delight the travelling away fans. Villa frantically pushed forward in hope of finding an equaliser. Substitute Angel cut through the Bolton defence but shot just wide of Jaaskelainen's post. The Finn was in the thick of the action once more, this time diving low to save Petrov's drive from the edge of the box. And Sutton's flick from a Gardner shot in the dying minutes just went wide. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Villa boss Martin O'Neill on referee Mark Clattenburg's decision to award the penalty: \"I have seen it and I think it was particularly harsh. \"I think (Nicolas) Anelka struck the back of Stilian Petrov's leg, but we didn't have the luck today. \"We should have won the game, no argument. We should have won the game by a good distance. \"We were thrusting forward at every opportunity. The effort we put in and the football we played was an absolute delight.\" Bolton boss Sam Allardyce: \"We were a bit fortunate at times but you have to give the players credit for the way they defended today. \"There was a poor miss by Villa in the second half - that's where you pay the price in the Premiership.\" \"We have faltered in the past but this time it may not be the case. \"The teams around us are all ones still in Europe, so that may tell on them this time, but we need to avoid injuries to key players.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aston Villa: Kiraly, Mellberg, Cahill, Ridgewell, Barry, McCann (Gardner 46), Petrov, Davis, Agbonlahor, Baros (Angel 71), Sutton. Subs Not Used: Olejnik, Bouma, Hughes. Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Hunt, Meite (Ben Haim 67), Faye, Campo,Nolan, Speed, Anelka, Pedersen, Davies, Giannakopoulos (Tal 29), Tal (Gardner 57). Subs Not Used: Al Habsi, Vaz Te. Booked: Faye, Davies, Pedersen, Gardner. Goals: Speed 75 pen. Att: 27,450 Ref: M Clattenburg (Co Durham).

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