Aston Villa v Liverpool Saturday 11th August 2007 Kick off: 5:15pm at Villa Park Live on Setanta Sports

The season is almost upon us as the reds travel to Villa Park to face Martin O’Neill’s Aston Villa side in the opening game of Liverpool’s 2007/08 Premiership campaign.

Recent Matches

In contrast to Liverpool, Aston Villa had a great start to last season, being unbeaten in 9 games until they played… Liverpool at Anfield.

Last season’s game at Villa Park was a drab 0-0 game in March - a period in time when Liverpool’s Premiership form was dipping and Villa had re-awoken from their mid-season slumber. Liverpool have an excellent record at Aston Villa in recent times, Villa have only managed to bag 4 points out of 27 in the last 9 years. Their last victory being their 1998 2-1 win, when Stan Collymore (then at Villa) scored twice for them. Liverpool’s last win at Villa Park was 2 seasons ago when Gerrard and Alonso both scored in the last 5 minutes to hand the reds a 2-0 win.

Interestingly Liverpool have not won an opening day fixture for 5 years - the last time being a 1-0 victory against Aston Villa at Villa Park!

Team News

Nigel Reo Coker and Marlon Harewood are two of Villa’s new signings and former red Patrik Berger is still with the club. Scott Carson, who is poised to move to Aston Villa on loan, will be ineligible for this game. Peter Crouch is a former Aston Villa player, having spent 18 months at the club. Liverpool have all their players available to select from. New boy Fernando Torres is expected to make his Premiership debut for the reds with Babel likely to be on the bench. Steven Gerrard is widely tipped to remain in central midfield with Jermaine Pennant, and possibly Harry Kewell, operating as the reds wingers.

Television Coverage

This game will mark the debut of Setanta Sports covering English Premiership games. Sky previously had a monopoly on TV broadcasting but Setanta have taken a slice and will be covering a number of games themselves.

It’s not too late to sign up for Setanta who have a range of packages and are available not only via Satellite and Cable, but are also available for Freeview subscribers. You can sign up to Setanta here

Betting

Liverpool start the game as favourites to win (Evens) with Villa at 5/2. The draw is 11/5.

1-1 and 1-0 to the reds are the bookies choice for correct score at 6/1. If you fancy the reds to kick off in style you can get 18/1 for a 3-0 Liverpool win.

Both Torres and Kuyt are being backed to opening the scoring (both at 6/1). John Carew is the Villa danger man (13/2). Liverpool’s last scorer at Villa Park, Xabi Alonso, is priced at 16/1.

Odds from Victor Chandler (VC are offering up to a £50 free bet when you register with them)