Aston Villa vs. Liverpool: Complete Preview, Start Time and Schedule

Liverpool travels to Villa Park to battle pesky Aston Villa in a match that is sure to be cut as finely as any other in the EPL this weekend. 

Don't count out Villa who is only a couple weeks removed from the fine effort they gave against Manchester United, though they ultimately dropped the points 1-0. 

For Liverpool, one thing remains on their mind, and that's to continue up the ladder and ensure a place in Europe next season. With so much tumult at the top, there is no reason the Reds can't sneak into the top five with a win. Especially when you consider Arsenal is playing Manchester City this weekend. 

Let's delve into what should be a stirring match with huge EPL implications. 

Where: Villa Park, England 

When: Sunday, December 18th, 9:05 a.m. EST

Player to Watch for Aston Villa: Winger Marc Albrighton has been mired with inconsistency. But if Aston Villa is going to challenge Liverpool, he needs to be the star that boss Alex McLeish believes he can be. 

Player to Watch for Liverpool: Eyes will be fixed on Uruguayan star Luis Suarez. We should have a judgement on his racist remarks charge by Friday. Those remarks along with the obscene gesture he gave to Fulham recently, Suarez is a marked man by fans. We will see what he is made of in what is sure to be a raucous Villa Park. 

Key Matchup: This should be a tough tight match that Aston Villa will control with stingy defense. That being said, Liverpool has the pace and power to sneak ahead in what I think will be a close shave for the Reds. 

What They're Saying:

Chris Wheeler of The Daily Mail writes on what will be the biggest issue for new Liverpool owner John Henry. "If — and it remains an if — the Uruguay striker is found guilty of racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra by a three-man disciplinary panel on Friday, Henry will be confronted with his biggest challenge since wresting control from fellow Americans Tom Hicks and George Gillett 14 months ago.

ESPN reports on what has been an Aston Villa headache. "N'Zogbia has failed to shine since his £9.5 million summer move from Wigan Athletic, and was axed from the first-team squad after going AWOL when expected to attend a session with the club's medical team."

Prediction: Liverpool 1, Aston Villa 0

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