Neil Mellor: Liverpool FC have to go and claim the spoils at troubled Aston Villa Reds must keep momentum going as Paul Lamberts team struggle Aston Villa are undoubtedly a big club. But right now they are just an average Premier League side for me. And one in a bit of turmoil amid their fan base, too. The Reds are getting better all the time and we have to believe nothing other than the three points is achievable with the current momentum. I know Villa have had the edge at Anfield in recent seasons, including earlier in this campaign when they beat us 1-0. But it’s been a different story at Villa Park. They’ve got a really poor scoring record and the fans are starting to call for Paul Lambert’s head. There could even be a fan protest. In contrast, we’re really starting to click and we go into the game on the back of a very good win at Sunderland. I was delighted to see Lazar Markovic get on the scoresheet - and we all know we deserved to win by a bigger margin. Markovic is settling down nicely now after his big money move. It does take young players time to adapt to a new club and country. He’s clearly doing so. The Liverpool fans are seeing real signs of his quality. He’s got great pace, clear natural ability and also tracks back well - which you must do in his position. He could be a big factor again at Villa - and I believe for many years to come. And then there is Raheem Sterling. He could well return after his mini break and will provide a real threat with his pace and guile as ever. So you have to fancy us in this one. Whether Fabio Borini will be involved again I don’t know. But I quite liked to hear his comments about wanting to stay put rather than move in this transfer window. He knows if he leaves he probably won’t get another chance at a big club. And therefore wants to knuckle down and show what he can do. So far there hasn’t been a lot to excite the fans or impress his boss. But as he says, his chances have been limited and he doesn’t want to give up on his Reds career yet. Some people may be cynical and think he’s just taking big money wages but I prefer to believe he sincerely wants to stay and fight to prove himself in time. Too many players move on too quickly these days - and sometimes agents have a hand in that churn. If he gets a chance this weekend, then a good display and a goal or two will do his his case no harm. Certainly Villla are there for the taking. Echo/Mellor.
Posted on: Sat, 17 Jan 2015 13:00:01 +0000
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