Liverpool and Aston Villa will go head-to-head for a place in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.

With the end of the season drawing closer, so nears the FA Cup final - rightfully restored to its place as the final game of the season again.

Villa and Liverpool will both be desperate to ensure they book a place for that afternoon when they take on each other under the arch this weekend, given their struggles domestically.

Tim Sherwood has overseen an impressive revival at Villa recently, winning three of their last six league games with Christian Benteke looking rejuvenated, but they still hover just six points above the relegation zone with six games remaining.

Aston Villa fans have seen their side win just eight league games of 33 so far and their joy in the FA Cup has come as a much-welcome distraction, as seen when the fans at Villa Park spilled out onto the pitch after their victory over Midlands rivals West Brom in the previous round.

They find themselves massive underdogs against Brendan Rodgers' side, who will be equally as eager to secure a place in the final.

The Reds have had their Champions League dreams dented by back-to-back losses over the last few weeks. A 13-game unbeaten streak which began with a draw at home to Arsenal back in December had seen odds shortened to see Brendan Rodgers' side gain a top-four foothold as they gained momentum and points.

But defeats to Manchester United and Arsenal brought their run to a shuddering halt and whilst their win against Newcastle United earlier this week narrowed the gap to faltering Manchester City in fourth-place to four points - Rodgers' most likely means of ensuring this season remains a memorable one will come via the FA Cup.

Whilst Arsenal and Reading will contest the other place in the final on Saturday evening, Aston Villa and Liverpool will only have eyes for their afternoon kick-off 24 hours later - as the Reds look to end a drought of nine years since their last FA Cup triumph, and Sherwood looks to make a name for himself with a Villa side who have not held aloft the trophy since 1957.

And the tie promises to be a tasty one. Both sides have enjoyed victory against the other this season, Gabriel Agbonlahor's goal spurring a 1-0 win for the Villans at Anfield and Fabio Borini and Rickie Lambert propelling Liverpool to a 2-0 win at Villa Park earlier this calendar year.

The Reds, who sit 25 points above their opponents, will be the clear favourites to progress - but in a tournament such as this one, they can ill-afford to get complacent.

Team News:

Tim Sherwood is dealing with an injury crisis ahead of their first FA Cup semi-final since 2010. 

Gabriel Agbonlahor, the goalscorer in Villa's 1-0 victory against Liverpool in the Premier League earlier this season, is "touch and go" with a hamstring injury and will be assessed late on but on-loan Scott Sinclair, who has scored in his last two FA Cup appearances, is available after a similar injury.

Long-term absentee Libor Kozak remains out, whilst January signing Carles Gil may be sidelined with a hip/groin concern. Furthermore, defensive midfielder Carlos Sanchez is suspended after a red card in Villa's 1-0 win away at Tottenham. Ashley Westwood has recovered, according to Sherwood, and could play some part.

Centre-back pairing Ciaran Clark and Philippe Senderos are unlikely, with knee and ankle injuries respectively. Whilst Aly Cissokho, who spent last season on loan at Anfield, and right-back Alan Hutton are facing late fitness tests.

Shay Given will start in goal for Villa and defenders Ron Vlaar and Nathan Baker are both back whilst the ex-Spurs boss will be looking towards the fit and firing Christian Benteke to provide the goalscoring threat.

Their opposition, Liverpool could be without Daniel Sturridge, who is a serious doubt. The 25-year-old missed the Reds' 2-0 win over Newcastle United, and did not feature in training throughout the week as he continues to struggle with a hip injury picked up against Blackburn. 

That adds to Brendan Rodgers' attacking worries, with the Liverpool boss already sweating on the fitness of Mario Balotelli - who has been suffering from a bout of illness in recent weeks.

Jordon Ibe returned to the starting line-up against Newcastle earlier this week but is cup-tied this Sunday after playing in the competition whilst on loan at Derby County earlier this season, whilst Adam Lallana looks set to miss out with a troublesome groin injury.

But experienced duo Martin Skrtel and Steven Gerrard return to the squad and both could play an important role if Liverpool are to progress to the final on 30 May. Skrtel's return in particular will be beneficial, with Mamadou Sakho dealing with the news that the hamstring injury suffered at Blackburn could keep him out for up to four weeks.

Route to the Semis: 

Aston Villa:

Third Round: Blackpool (h) 1-0 (Benteke) 

Fourth Round: Bournemouth (h) 2-1 (Gil, Weimann)

Fifth Round: Leicester (h) 2-1 (Bacuna, Sinclair)

Quarter Final: West Brom (h) 2-0 (Delph, Sinclair)

Liverpool:

Third Round: AFC Wimbledon (a) 1-2 (Gerrard x2)

Fourth Round: Bolton Wanderers (h) 0-0

Fourth Round Replay: Bolton Wanderers (a) 1-2 (Sterling, Coutinho)

Fifth Round: Crystal Palace (a) 1-2 (Sturridge, Lallana)

Quarter Final: Blackburn Rovers (h) 0-0

Quarter Final Replay: Blackburn Rovers (a) 0-1 (Coutinho)

Head-to-head:

Total: Aston Villa - 55 wins, Draws - 40, Liverpool - 89 wins.

At Villa Park: Aston Villa - 38 wins, Draws - 21, Liverpool - 33 wins.

At Anfield: Liverpool - 55 wins, Draws - 19, Aston Villa - 17 wins.

On Neutral Grounds: Aston Villa - 0 wins, Draws - 0, Liverpool - 1 win.

Last meeting: Aston Villa 0-2 Liverpool (Borini, Lambert) - 17th January 2015.

Last Five (all competitions):

Aston Villa: WLLDW
Liverpool: WLLWW

Match Facts:

Liverpool have not won a game at Anfield in this year's FA Cup. Never before have they gone on to win the competition without winning on home soil.

This is the third semi-final meeting between these two teams, the last coming in 1996 - when two Robbie Fowler goals and Jason McAteer's strike helped Liverpool to a 3-0 win, though they would lose the final to Manchester United.

Liverpool reached the FA Cup semi-finals for the 24th time with their win over Blackburn. Only Arsenal, Manchester Utd and Everton have played in more.

Liverpool have not won any of their FA Cup ties by more than one goal this season. They beat AFC Wimbledon 2-1, Bolton Wanderers 2-1 (replay), Crystal Palace 2-1 and Blackburn Rovers 2-1 (replay) on their way to the current round.

Aston Villa have never scored against Liverpool in the FA Cup in five previous attempts, losing all five games.

Steven Gerrard and Philippe Coutinho are Liverpool’s top scorers in this season’s FA Cup, with two goals each. Scott Sinclair has the same number for Aston Villa. Reading’s Hal Robson-Kanu (3) is the only player from the four semi-finalists to score more than twice in the 2014-15 competition.

Both goals Aston Villa have conceded in the FA Cup en-route to the semi-final have come in stoppage time.

Daniel Sturridge has scored in each of his last three Premier League appearances against Aston Villa. The Englishman also has 10 goals in his latest 13 starts in this competition.

Christian Benteke has scored eight goals in eight appearances for Aston Villa under Tim Sherwood and has four goals in five games against Liverpool in his career.

Five of the nine goals in Aston Villa’s three FA Cup ties this year have been netted in the 85th minute or later.

Aston Villa have kept just two clean sheets in their last 20 FA Cup matches.

The Villans have made the FA Cup semi-final on 20 previous occasions, winning 10 and losing 10. However, they have lost seven of their last nine times they have reached this stage.

Steven Gerrard has scored more Premier League goals against Aston Villa than any other side in his career (12).

Five of Gerrard’s 12 Premier League goals against Villa have been from penalties and five from outside the box, including two direct free kicks. The other two were headers.

Mario Balotelli has scored four goals in three Premier League games against the Villans – twice as many goals as he has against any other opponent.

Pre-match comments:

Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood: "It's a very exciting game. It's a big opportunity for this club to get to a big final. We're going into the game with a positive frame of mind.

"We've got a good blend of players. We're prepared to mix it up and try and hurt Liverpool.

"I hope the fans are looking forward to the game. We've picked up some good results recently. It's definitely a game we can win. Agbonlahor and Benteke work together. Gabby has great pace and we're looking to utilise that if he's fit. The Liverpool backline will certainly take a couple of steps back if he's on the pitch.

"We'll do everything we possibly can to make sure we're back there in May. I don't want my players to have any regrets after the game."

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers: "It's one game at a time and we have to get over a very difficult game against Aston Villa before we can even think of that (the final).

"The players are in good form and a good moment now. We'll look forward to the game."

"To win a trophy here at Liverpool is something that's very important - that's why we're here. No matter what era you're in, you'll always be judged here at Liverpool on trophies.

"We've made steps over the last couple of years and we want to continue making those by winning trophies.

"It is something we want to do for the supporters. It's an incredible support we get here and we want to send them home happy having arrived in another final, hopefully."

Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet: "We've got the FA Cup and the league still to play for and we want to do well in every single game until the end. The next game coming up is the FA Cup semi-final, so the focus is on that."

"We have to stop Aston Villa and look at ourselves to perform the best we possibly can ourselves. We want to perform the best we possibly can and we're trying to focus to do that, to make sure we prepare ourselves the best we can and put in the performance we want to. Like every other game, we'll analyse the strengths and weaknesses of the opponent and make sure we're ready for that.

"He (Benteke) has been scoring goals lately. Together with [Gabriel] Agbonlahor they have got a lot of pace up front. They have got that strike force. But where we'll put the focus and emphasis is making sure that we get our performance right in the first place and make sure that we do the best we possibly can.

"Wembley is legendary arena where a lot of history is made. Obviously you want to go out there and enjoy the moment. Hopefully we can create some history for ourselves as well. It was 2006 when Liverpool last won the FA Cup - we don't to wait until 2016 for the 10-year anniversary, we want to do it this year. On a personal level, if I can win the FA Cup I think I would be the first Belgian goalkeeper to win it. That would be nice as well. History can be made, but first we have to get past Aston Villa. We want to get through." 

Ex-Liverpool and current Aston Villa midfielder Joe Cole: "It has been a long wait for a club like Villa to be there and you’ve just got to do your job, focus on it and not be overawed by it.

"These games are about being mentally prepared. It does sap your energy - it is not like a normal game because of the build-up and everything. It is a special game, so you’ve got to be clever. But it is nothing to be afraid of.

"The boys will relish it, I know they will. For any player at any age and any level, it is a pleasure to play there (at Wembley).

"It would be a massive achievement (to win the FA Cup). We’re in it now - we’re two games away. We can talk about it and get excited about it. Yes, we still want to secure our future in the Premier League but how can you not get excited?

"After the Champions League, it is the biggest cup competition in the world. I’d prefer to win the FA Cup than, for instance, the Europa League. It has more prestige worldwide, in my opinion."

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About the author
Charlie Malam
Digital Sports Writer at the Daily Express. First-class Staffordshire University Sports Journalism graduate. Formerly VAVEL UK's Liverpool FC editor and Deputy Editor-in-Chief. Contributor since June 2014.