Selecting an Aston Villa Starting XI for Saturday's Clash with Liverpool

For Aston Villa, their challenging start to the 2013-14 season will continue Saturday as the team opens their home campaign against Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool.

Paul Lambert’s Villa team has already impressed many neutrals after a shocking 3-1 win on opening day over Arsenal at the Emirates, followed by a contentious 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea. Now tasked with their third match in eight days, Liverpool will provide another stern test for the young Villa squad.

So far, Lambert has only made one change to his starting XI between matches, selecting Ciaran Clark to replace the injured Nathan Baker.

But the potential for tired legs after the midweek clash against Chelsea, along with Clark himself sustaining an injury in that match, may force Lambert into further altering his starting lineup.

With several new signings hungry to prove themselves, Lambert must be thoughtful in his team selection to ensure that Villa field a team capable of defeating Liverpool.

Goalkeeper: Brad Guzan

The easiest decision for Lambert will be sticking with the club’s player of the season, American keeper Brad Guzan.

So far in 2013-14, Guzan has picked up right where he left off. Guzan made a pair of crucial saves against Arsenal, stopping both Tomas Rosicky and Santi Cazorla from equalizing for the Gunners.

In addition to his sublime shot-stopping skills, Guzan is quick off his line to claim crosses and command the penalty box. Although former Norwich keeper Jed Steer was signed during the summer, it will take an injury or massive dip in form for the young Englishman to supplant Guzan.

Left-Back: Antonio Luna

Despite unluckily scoring an own goal on Wednesday against Chelsea, Luna is the most dynamic option at left-back for Lambert and should be selected to start. Joe Bennett, Villa’s first-choice left-back last season, had a very difficult debut season and is unlikely to be preferred to Luna.

The summer signing from Sevilla looks shaky at times in defense, but his energy and willingness to attack gives Villa another dimension in attack.

His goal against Arsenal sums up his value to the Villa team. After blocking Santi Cazorla’s shot from a corner, Luna quickly realized that his team were now in a counterattacking situation. He showed no hesitation racing forward to receive Andreas Weimann’s through ball and confidently finished the move to ensure Villa the three points.

Centre-Back: Ron Vlaar

Picking up from last season, injuries in the centre of defense are proving a problem for Villa. Nathan Baker has been ruled out for Saturday while Ciaran Clark is uncertain to be fit.

With those injury concerns, Ron Vlaar is a certain starter for this weekend. After a mixed display against Arsenal, the Dutch captain was much more assured against Chelsea and should retain his place in the team.

A strong defender who is aerially adept and surprisingly capable in possession, Vlaar will face a stern test in the crafty Daniel Sturridge.

Centre-Back: Jores Okore

The Danish defender stands to be the beneficiary of Villa’s injury concerns. Having been substituted on for the injured Clark against Chelsea, Okore started nervously before settling into the game and performing admirably on his Premier League debut.

While Clark might be fit for Saturday’s match, Lambert should not risk the Irishman’s fitness, instead trusting Okore. Strong as a bull, Okore’s quickness and incisive passing could prove a successful complement to Vlaar in the middle.

Right-Back: Matthew Lowton

Lowton was one of Villa’s standout performers last season and is another player guaranteed to start. He was Villa's most consistent performer in the back four in 2012-13 and is poised to pick up right where he left off.

Equally adept in attack and defense, Lowton is an integral piece to the Villa puzzle. Tasked with defending against the skillful Iago Aspas and Philippe Coutinho, Lowton must be at his best on Saturday.

Centre Midfielder: Fabian Delph

The standout performer of Villa’s season so far, Delph is finally realizing the potential that led Martin O’Neill to purchase him in 2009. Quick, energetic and a skilled dribbler, Delph is a workhorse and tireless runner, eager to win back the ball or create with it.

Delph will be a crucial performer on Saturday, battling against the likes of Steven Gerrard. Should Delph impress against Liverpool, the former U-21 international could find himself in Roy Hodgson’s plans as well.

Centre Midfielder: Ashley Westwood

Little fanfare is given to Westwood’s game, but his admiration for Michael Carrick’s style of direct passing and ball retention is a critical part of Villa’s attack. Westwood prefers to keep it simple, but he is very capable of delivering the killer ball when the time comes.

Westwood’s composure and consistency give him the nod over Karim El Ahmadi, who is likely to be given a rest after starting the season’s first two games as a part of a midfield trio.

Central Attacking Midfielder: Leandro Bacuna

Replacing El Ahmadi in the team is Leandro Bacuna. Playing in a more advanced position than Delph or Westwood, selecting Bacuna in a role similar to that of Charles N’Zogbia has played in the past will give Lambert a fourth attacking player and shift Villa’s formation to a 4-2-3-1.

Another summer signing, Bacuna is an extremely versatile and talented player. In preseason, he featured everywhere from right-back to the midfield to the right-wing. Bacuna has a lot to prove and inspiring Villa to a win against Liverpool would certainly do just that.

Left-Winger: Gabriel Agbonlahor

What a difference a few years makes. When Gabby Agbonlahor first shifted from playing as a central striker to playing as a winger under Gerard Houllier, he looked uncomfortable and out of place. Now, under Paul Lambert, Agbonlahor is thriving in his new role.

With the primary burden of goalscoring on Christian Benteke’s hands, Agbonlahor is free to use his blistering pace and willingness to attack players out wide, creating more chances for his teammates.

His impact so far this season has been profound; he has won two penalties and assisted a goal.   

Right-Winger: Aleksandar Tonev

Andreas Weimann is one of Villa’s young stars, but his performances so far this season have been a bit lacking. Getting a game off to rest could be very beneficial toward getting the Austrian back on track, and Aleksandar Tonev is a capable substitute.

Lambert’s faith in Tonev was demonstrated on Wednesday, as he inserted Tonev into the game when Villa needed a goal late in the game. In his full debut, much will be expected of Tonev to creatively and dynamically influence the game with crosses and trickery.

Striker: Christian Benteke

Liverpool will not look forward to seeing Christian Benteke again. His performance in Villa’s memorable 3-1 win at Anfield last season will surely be on the minds of the Liverpool players who allowed the Belgian to run rampant on that December day.

Benteke is the focal point of Villa’s attack. His aerial prowess and hold-up play are vital toward Villa’s offense succeeding. In most cases, Villa’s best goalscoring opportunities start and end with Benteke involved.

The striker’s 17 Premier League goals in 2013 are the most by any player and he will look to add to that tally at Villa Park on Saturday.