Ex-Liverpool boss Houllier returns with Aston Villa

Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier should expect a warm reception from the Anfield faithful on Monday, six years after leaving his old club Liverpool.

The Frenchman, who was manager of the Merseyside club between 1998 and 2004 winning five major trophies, returned to English football in September, but has struggled to maintain consistent form with his new club. The Midland’s team have lost their last three games including being knocked out of the League Cup by rivals Birmingham on Wednesday.

A trip to his old stomping ground could not have come at a worse time for Houllier; he is faced to name a squad missing a dozen players through injury or sickness and regardless of an impressive youth policy, Villa are lacking the experienced faces of club captain Petrov, vice-captain Reo-Coker and striker Emile Heskey, all familiar faces under Martin O’Neill saw them achieve sixth place in the Premier League last season.

Ashley Young will also miss out, as he serves a one-match ban for collecting five bookings so far this season.

Houllier will return to face his old club who are missing the only two players remaining from his managerial reign; Jamie Carragher is sidelined until late-February with a shoulder injury whilst captain Steven Gerrard is still absent for at least another week.

Liverpool’s current manager Roy Hodgson is fighting off his own pressure; his side have obtained a maximum of nine points from the last three home games in the league, and currently find themselves mid-table. He is able to call upon players rested from Thursday’s Europa League tie, including Raul Meireles, Dirk Kuyt and Fernando Torres. Joe Cole could also be expected expected to start, whilst Sotirios Kyrgiakos will return to league defensive duties after playing the whole 90 minutes in Romania.

A Liverpool 2-0 victory is priced at 11/2, however a more eye-catching bet may be for the Reds to win without conceding; with goalkeeper Pepe Reina currently on 99 clean sheets for the club, and Aston Villa missing some big name goal-scorers, an 11/8 bet could be popular for the Kopites. 

Betting Highlight:
An 11/2 price for a Villa win is available, should there be a repeat of last season’s outcome.

09/10 Results:
Liverpool 1-3 Aston Villa
Aston Villa 0-1 Liverpool