Villa at 2-1 can see off Reds

Aston Villa are attractively priced at general odds of 2-1 to seize on the absence of Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard by beating Rafa Benitez’s men in their Premier League fixture at Villa Park on Sunday afternoon.

You have to go back to 1998 for the Villains’ last victory in this fixture but the home side can be seen to have made giant strides under Martin O’Neill — an impression supported by their sixth-placed finish of last season — and can fancy their chances against a Liverpool side weakened by the loss of their inspirational captain.

Whilst O’Neill’s preparations for the new campaign have been blighted by the uncertainty surrounding Gareth Barry’s future, the capture of James Milner from Newcastle can be viewed as something of a coup and certainly a timely boost ahead of Sunday’s match.

O’Neill enjoyed the luxury of resting many of his leading names for the midweek UEFA Cup clash with FH Hafnarfjordur and is likely to recall Ashley Young, John Carew, Martin Laursen, Stiliyan Petrov, Luke Young and Nicky Shorey.

Liverpool, a top-priced 31-20 with VC Bet, have been flattered by early season results with victories against Sunderland and Middlesbrough barely deserved. Moreover, they were second best for much of their Champions League qualifier against Standard Liege. The draw is a general 9-4.