Villa midfield duo out for Liverpool duel

Aston Villa are without suspended midfielders Lee Hendrie and George Boateng for the clash with Liverpool at Villa Park.

Aston Villa are without suspended midfielders Lee Hendrie and George Boateng for the clash with Liverpool at Villa Park.

Hendrie is completing a three-match ban, and Boateng is serving a one-game suspension after collecting five bookings.

Turkish international Alpay returns after suspension and injury, while midfielder Ian Taylor (hamstring) and wing-back Mark Delaney (knee) are bidding to shake off their knocks.

Striker Julian Joachim is definitely missing again with the broken toe he suffered against Southampton on November 18.

Robbie Fowler can expect to be involved in Liverpool's squad for the trip to Villa after missing out on the midweek Worthington Cup defeat at Crystal Palace.

He was not considered fit enough for the game after missing training following the late-night fracas the previous week.

Micheal Owen missed training on Thursday because of "tiredness", while Steven Gerrard only did light training as a precaution to protect him from the various muscle strains he has been dogged with.

Jari Litmanen could also make his full debut after coming on as substitute at Palace to create Liverpool's goal for Vladimir Smicer.

Aston Villa (from): James, Alpay, Southgate, Staunton, Stone, Barry, Merson, Wright, Ginola, Dublin, Vassell, Taylor, Delaney, Samuel, Hitzlsperger, McGrath, Melaugh, Enckleman.

Liverpool (from): Westerveld, Babbel, Henchoz, Hyypia, Carragher, Barmby, Hamann, Gerrard, Biscan, Murphy, Smicer, Owen, Heskey, Fowler, Litmanen, McAllister, Nielsen, Vignal, Diomede.

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