Morning all. We were lucky Manchester City didn't take their chances last night otherwise we would be sitting in sixth place today and the game today would have been even more important, if that was possible.
You see, after the club website give us yet another rallying call, the reality is, this match is quite important. You see, we've had a few good matches recently and it has looked as if the football was finally getting better, but against Arsenal we were shown that maybe it wasn't and with Fulham beating Manchester United 3-0, it could sort of put our 1-0 win against them, into perspective.
You see, the importance is in how our players react to getting a lesson in football by Arsenal and it isn't so much about the result, it is about how we play. Yes, the result is important - we could be going into the New Year in 6th place if we lose, against fourth place last season, but for me, it really is important to continue the footballing development and yes, I know I might be kidding myself, grasping at straws or looking for something that isn't their - but I am trying and everything is possible.
Don't get me wrong; all eleven will be determined and they will fight. We've had that since the very first game - what we need to see today and it has to be clear as day after the shocking display at Arsenal - is a vast improvement in the football.
You see, I think we started to see an improvement, I really did. Today, it needs to be confirmed because despite what you might have read in the papers, Liverpool were poor against Wolves and if we are really going to compete for a top four place, then Liverpool is the team we are competing against this season.
So, seeing as I've got that out of the way - now to the match.
Ashley Young is suspended for picking up five yellow cards for stupid tackles or going head to head with another player. This hopefully means that someone like Marc Albrighton gets a run, but he won't. Instead we will probably see Milner go to right back, Delph go to right side of midfield, Heskey slot in at centre mid and Gabby play on the left of midfield, so Carew can play.
My point is, there will be changes today and we will have the team news as soon as possible, but for now, it is impossible to predict exactly what will happen and anything could.
,p>What I can tell you is, seeing as we have not beaten Liverpool at Villa Park since February 1998 when we won 2-1 - you will get 7/4 at PaddyPower - which is quite a good price for the home team. But you will also get 6/4 for Liverpool, which is also a very good price for Liverpool.But for now, give us your predictions below. Also, drop some links below to anything interesting, because until the match, I have a feeling it is going to be a long day before the last match of 2009.