Uprising Of The Underdog?

Last updated : 20 March 2009 By Tom Vickers
Villa will look to defy the form book as they travel to Anfield to take on Liverpool on Sunday.

The Claret and Blue have failed to win any of their last seven games while the men from Merseyside go into the game on the back of crushing wins against world giants Real Madrid and Manchester United.

Villa and Liverpool are at complete opposites of the confidence spectrum at the moment so do the away side face the impossible? Well, the answer to that is no.

Rafa Benitez and his boys have performed well against the big boys for a number of seasons now, but when it comes to playing sides outside the top four they struggle, be it for motivation or ideas.

Villa, although their fans won't want to hear it, are one of those clubs outside the top four.

After Arsenal won resoundingly against Blackburn and the Villans lost at home to Spurs, it is the Gunners who hold fourth.

But, now the pressure to hold onto that coveted Champions League spot is off, the Claret and Blue could unleash some of their best football.

Elements

They played much more freely when they were chasing and there is no reason why Liverpool should presume that it will be an easy three points on Sunday.

If Stoke can draw at Anfield then surely Villa are capable of matching that or even claiming a crucial three points.

Gabby Agbonlahor will again start up front despite being booed off last weekend and John Carew is pushing for a start.

On form, that front two can trouble the greatest of defences and although Agbonlahor is goal shy at the moment, all it takes is one break and he could have that old confidence back in his boots.

Gareth Barry will undoubtedly be centre of attention after being linked with the Merseysiders last summer and how Villa need him to show the Reds what they are missing.

If all the individual elements come together for Villa, just as they did during their last away win at Blackburn on February 7, then the Claret and Blue could claim an unlikely victory.

Liverpool may be favourites but never write off the underdog, especially when that underdog sits in fifth and has won 10 of their 14 away games this season.