Liverpool threatened to get their season back on track when beating Chelsea at the beginning of last month but they’ve failed to build on that result and could struggle again versus Aston Villa on Monday night.
A brace from Fernando Torres toppled the champions at Anfield but Reds boss Roy Hodgson has seen Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher sidelined since with long-term injuries and the crocked pair will once again be absent for the visit of the Villains.
While Liverpool remain a more potent force at home than on their travels, a 3-0 triumph over West Ham last time in front of their adoring public told us little and their limited capabilities were exposed in defeats at both Stoke and Tottenham either side of that win over the hapless Hammers.
With Gerrard on the treatment table, Hodgson has precious few attacking options available to him in support of Torres but the Spanish striker himself is still someway short of his brilliant beast and Liverpool certainly lack a creative spark.
Hope on Monday night for the home faithful will come from Aston Villa’s apparent travel sickness but they’ve actually been better on the road than the bare results indicate and only once this season, when thrashed 6-0 at Newcastle, have they been rolled over.
Villa, now managed by ex-Reds boss Gerrard Houllier, of course, were the better side for large periods on Wednesday in their Carling Cup defeat at Birmingham and I see them frustrating Liverpool if the Frenchman chooses to pack the midfield.
Houllier, who will be desperate to impress, will also recognise Liverpool’s soft underbelly at the back given Carragher’s absence and I think one goal could well be enough to secure Villa at least a share of the spoils.
No bigger than 1.60 or thereabouts, it’s not difficult to persuade me to look elsewhere than Monday’s host and I want to be with Villa in some capacity. With the likes of Richard Dunne and James Collins at the back, they have more than enough about them to hold firm and ex-Liverpool stopper Brad Friedel will also be eager to keep his former club at bay.
I usually wouldn’t hesitate to lay Liverpool at such cramped odds but instead I prefer the look of Villa receiving a goal head start on the Asians at 1.91 in case Torres proves the difference. He remains a class act and Liverpool need him now more than ever.
1pt Back Aston Villa (+1, vs. Liverpool) @ 1.91 (VC Bet)