It's a big game for Aston Villa today and it always is when Liverpool come. It used to be all games at Villa Park were big, but now we rely on bigger sides to come for us to sell out. Which is a pity, but things have changed at Villa the last few years. But we move on and pick ourselves up.
But this game promises to be an interesting one. The eight minute demonstration will happen and it will be interesting to see how many Aston Villa fans take part. It will be interesting, because this isn't a protest about one thing, it's a signal to the owner that things are not right and the truth is, most of the Holte End, if not all, know things are not right. It's a case of will they take this opportunity to show that things need to change?
But it doesn't matter if it's one person or all of them. The success of the demonstration was determined when the papers got hold of it and football fans all over the country read about it.
To the match
Everyone is hoping that Carles Gil gets a run out today and all eyes will be on him if he does. I hope the supporters accept though that it takes time for players to settle and he shouldn't be judged on one game. Unless he scored three that is, then make banners with his face etched on it. But, it's next season when we'll see the real impact of this player, if he is to make one.
And we don't know what will happen today. If Lambert continues to try and play the way he has the last few matches this could be very interesting. the worst thing that could happen today is we sit back and try and soak everything up and then start hitting long, missing out the likes of Gil (if he comes on), Sanchez and Delph. In short, Lambert has to continue the possession game, because that is the foundation we need to build on.
Team news and updates
The starting eleven today is:
- Guzan
- Hutton
- Cissokho
- Okore
- Baker
- Cleverley
- Sanchez
- Westwood
- Delph
- Benteke
- Gabby
On the bnench today we have:
- Given
- Bacuna
- Weimann
- Gil
- N'Zogbia
- Lowton
- Richardson
Updates coming as they happen here and on Twitter and don't say I never told you. Up the Villa.