Liverpool look set to ring the changes against Aston Villa with skipper Steven Gerrard returning after being rested against West Ham.

Luis Garcia has been ruled out after his appeal against a red card at Upton Park on Wednesday was rejected.

Jamie Carragher on the race for second spot:

"Manchester United have got a big game against Chelsea on Saturday.
"Both teams will be wanting to turn each other over but with Chelsea needing a point for the title hopefully they can win and do us a favour.
"If we can then capitalise by defeating Aston Villa it might get interesting. United have two home games to come after that so they'll remain in pole position and it's going to be difficult to overhaul them but all we can do is look after ourselves."

David O'Leary:

"I went to see Liverpool at West Ham but it was such a waste of time because they left eight players out. They could field two world class teams - that's why they're up there challenging."

BIG-MATCH FACTS
We close out our home programme against Aston Villa with still a slim, outside possibility of catching Manchester United in second place, and pipping them for that automatic qualifying spot to next season's group stages of the Champions League. Rafa Benitez' men would need to win this match and next Sunday's at Portsmouth and hope that Manchester United lose at least two, or possibly all three of our remaining fixtures.


Our midweek FA Cup final rehearsal with West Ham 1-2 at Upton Park was our seventh successive League victory and ninth in a row in all competitions. We have not lost in 15 Premiership games at Anfield, winning 13 and drawing two since the 1-4 defeat to Chelsea on 2 October.


We can extend our nine-match unbeaten run in League and Cup contests with Aston Villa. Djibril Cisse scored both in a 2-1 end-of-season victory at Anfield last May, while in November a Steven Gerrard penalty and Xabi Alonso effort - both in the last five minutes - wrapped up the points at Villa Park in this season's reverse fixture. It gives the boys the chance of a 17th League 'double' over the Midlanders and third against them in the Premiership.


Nice Quote:

When David Platt left Aston Villa to play in Italy, a journalist asked him: "So, do you miss the Villa then?"

his reply: "Not really, I live in one now."