Saturday afternoon’s game at Villa Park sees goal-shy Aston Villa face top-four chasing Liverpool.

The hosts have won just two of their last seventeen league games, and have scored just once in their last six with their overall tally of eleven league goals the lowest in the top four divisions by a considerable margin.

Somewhat remarkably, they sit five places above the relegation zone but could end the weekend in the bottom three if they lose and other results go against them.

New signing Carles Gil could make his debut and Fabian Delph is set to return from suspension but Ciaran Clark misses out with a one-match ban and Joe Cole has a hamstring problem.

Christian Benteke is 8.0 (7/1) to open the scoring with Stan James, with Gabriel Agbonlahor a 12.0 (11/1) shot with Paddy Power.

The home win is as highly priced as the 5.0 (4/1) on offer from Betfred, with the visitors favourites at 1.92 (37/40) with Bet Victor. The draw is 3.6 (13/5) with Bet 365.

Brendan Rodgers’ side have lost just one of their last thirteen games in all competitions, and go in to the weekend just five points off the top four.

Raheem Sterling is set to return to the match-day squad after being rested for a week, while Steven Gerrard and Adam Lallana should be fit in time to feature.

Despite netting just twice for the Reds and not scoring in his last eight games, Mario Balotelli is favourite to get the first goal of the game at 5.75 (19/4) with Bet Victor, with Sterling a 6.5 (11/2) chance with the same firm.

Reds captain Gerrard has scored more goals against Villa than any other side during his career, and is 4.25 (13/4) with 888 Sport to do so in what is set to be his final game against them.

Paul Lambert’s side won 1-0 when the sides met back in September while one goal was enough to settle last season’s corresponding fixture though it was eventual runners-up Liverpool who took the points.

Five of Villa’s last six games have also seen fewer than two goals, so you may be tempted to take advantage of the widely available price of 3.25 (9/4) for there to be under 1.5 here.