Liverpool - Aston Villa Preview: Villans looking to put final nail in Rodgers' coffin as they travel to happy-hunting ground

Aston Villa travel to Anfield this weekend to face Liverpool in the Premier League, in a fixture which has been kind to them in recent history.

With neither side having performed particularly well in their opening six Premier League fixtures, the game on Merseyside offers a chance for each team to kick-start their seasons, after mixed fortunes in the League Cup in midweek.

Rudy Gestede's second half header was enough for Villa to see off bitter rivals Birmingham City, whilst Liverpool squeezed through on penalties against League Two Carlisle United.

With just four points so far in the league, the Villans are in a lowly 17th position, but could move to within a point of 13th placed Liverpool if they can win on L4.

Does recent history have a part to play?

They've certainly got a good chance of doing so, having built up quite the record for themselves away to the Reds over the past few years. They've taken points away from Anfield in each of the last three seasons, winning 3-1 in 2012/13, before sharing the spoils in a 2-2 draw the season after. Last season saw a similar tale, with Villa triumphing 1-0.

However, the Liverpool-Villa game that comes to most recent memory is last seasons FA Cup Semi Final tie, which firm underdogs Villa won 2-1, thanks to the inspiring management of Tim Sherwood. They couldn't repeat their heroics in the final, losing 4-0 to a superior Arsenal side.

Team news

Sherwood will be without a few of his senior players as he looks to triumph over Brendan Rodgers once again.

Adama Traore is still struggling with the ankle knock he picked up against Notts County earlier this season, whilst centre back Jores Okore is unlikely to be available for selection.

Centre midfielder Idrissa Gueye, who has missed the last two games following a promising start to the season, faces a late fitness test to be confirmed as available for the clash.

Christian Benteke, signed to Liverpool from Villa for £32.5million in the summer, is unlikely to play against his former employers, after picking up a hamstring injury last week.