This week Liverpool face a bogey team of sorts from recent times, particularly at home, in Aston Villa. Brendan Rodgers will be hoping he can record his first win over Villa at home as Liverpool boss. I got in touch with Damian from The Villa Blog beforehand, to discuss Daniel Sturridge, predictions, and most importantly, this week’s opposition: Aston Villa.
To start off, can you tell us about the main dangers Aston Villa can pose to Liverpool on Saturday, and who you think the real danger-men for your side are?
It’s hard to say after three games, but if we look back to last season when we drew 2-2 at your place and went 2-0 up, the threat we bring is that we can create and score goals when we want to. The problem we had last season and even our last time out against Hull, was when we do go ahead, we tend to sit back and hope to see the game out. Against Hull, it’s okay but against the likes of Liverpool and like we saw last season, we don’t have the men to hold the likes of your team off because we tend to sit back and try not to lose. It’s the wrong way to play football.
But based on the last three games, our threat comes from closing down teams quickly and playing football the right way, rather than sitting back and hitting long, like we’ve done the past two seasons. As for highlighting a player, there hasn’t been one that has stood out yet, but there are a few contenders and the next month for us will tell us a lot.
Villa’s start to the season has been fairly undernoted, however you are still unbeaten, how confident are you that this run of form can produce results in your upcoming tough fixtures?
You’re right, in so much that the opening three fixtures have been relatively easy, but these are matches we would have lost last season or got a point – we did a lot better against the better sides, so there is a feeling of optimism at the moment. But following Anfield on Saturday, we’ve got Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Everton. That’s a possible 15 points and while I’m not going to predict we’re still unbeaten, I think we’ll do better than some think. Me, I’ll stick my head on the block and say we can get two wins… but only if we don’t play football the wrong way.
Having seen the running start made by your side, how far do you think they can go this season in League and cups?
I’m not a fan of predicting things like this and there is really little difference between finishing 7th and 17th these days. Sure, the cups offer some excitement and possibilities and it’s all we’re playing for, but we’re out of the League Cup and the FA Cup is a lot harder. But I’d be happy to finish 17th if the football was better, but with the players we’ve brought in we should be finishing in the stop half this season, but that isn’t progress, not for a side of our standing. We should be playing in Europe every season and we should be starting the season with real optimism, but the game is broken now and there isn’t that feeling for many sides anymore.
The recent form when these sides meet at Anfield is very much in Villa’s favour, it seems to be a favoured ground of sorts for you. Is there a feeling of optimism ahead of Saturday?
There is a feeling that we can go there and get something, but we have that feeling every week because we’re football fans. The truth is Anfield is a hard place to go and that helps us. But, on your day, you can beat anyone and do it convincingly. But last season we rose to the occasion and there is a belief we’ll do it again this season. But and I say this with absolute honesty, as long as we play football the right way, I’ll be happy. A point would be great and all three will possibly have some of your supporters questioning Rodgers.
What is the general feeling around the summer transfer business that Villa completed, including of course former Liverpool players Joe Cole and Aly Cissokho? Could there be any surprises in store for the upcoming season?
We did well in the summer. We brought in the required experience with the likes of Cole, Richardson and Senderos and we’ve also brought the likes of Hutton and Bent back into the fold. Add to that the younger players we’ve brought in, like Cissokho, Sanchez and Cleverley that should all strengthen the 17, it has gone a long way to creating that optimism. But, the one player that has created a real feeling of hope is Jack Grealish. He turned 19 this week and there are reports that Chelsea, Spurs and Manchester City are interested. He’ll probably play a role on Saturday and when he gets the ball, there is a feeling that something special can happen.
But, the most important new face in the summer was Roy Keane. He’ll not be liked at Anfield, but the players like him and we’ve seen elements of his game in the opening three games.
Has the recent injury problems suffered by Liverpool, including Daniel Sturridge, Joe Allen and Emre Can buoyed any confidence amongst Villa supporters?
Let’s be clear about one thing, Daniel Sturridge is a class player and him not playing is a bonus for us, but I don’t think it really creates a feeling of confidence. It just means the likes of Vlaar and Senderos don’t have to deal with the striker that may very well end up as the best we see in the Premier League this season.
When looking at the current Liverpool squad, who do you feel poses your side the most threat on Saturday?
I’d have said Sturridge if he was playing but in truth, there are a number of players that can change a game for you or even control the game from the kick off. I’m a big fan of Henderson and Coutinho so if I had to pick one, it would be out of those two, but I’m not picking one as he will no doubt end up the one scoring the winner.
Finally, can we get a score prediction from you?
That you can have and as I’m an Aston Villa fan, writing this with a hangover and it’s a day before the match, I’m feeling optimistic, so I’ll say 2-1 to us. As a fan, I’ve got to predict a win.
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Big thanks to Damian, and you can follow him on twitter @AVFCBlog. In terms of predictions, I obviously disagree and will be plumping for a Liverpool win. 3-0. As previously mentioned, us football fans will always back our own teams…
