Patient play from Liverpool, happy to keep hold of the ball and knock it around. They eventually give possession away when Roberto Firmino's ball forward is wayward and straight into the hands of Mark Bunn.

Very quiet at Villa Park and plenty of empty seats too.

...Carles Gil's free-kick is knocked back by defender Joleon Lescott, but Liverpool manage to clear.

Groans from the home fans as an attacking free-kick ends up all the way back to goalkeeper Mark Bunn.

Aston Villa earn a free-kick after their first foray forward and Carles Gil is over it...

Philippe Coutinho is playing from wide left for Liverpool this afternoon, Aston Villa will need to be wary of the cut inside and curler, he's good at that.

No chances so far, all the play has been in Villa's half of the pitch though.

Mamadou Sakho and Kolo Toure guarding the heart of Liverpool's defence today. It'll be interesting to see how they get on.

Aston Villa haven't had a chance to get their foot on the ball yet.

Image source, Reuters

Off we go, the hosts get us going at Villa Park.

Aston Villa boss Remi Garde: "We are still fighting and every game is difficult for us. It is not only about progressing, it is about points.

"We would like to get at least one point but only 12 games to go after this. Hopefully this will be the one where we take a forward step."

A short but sweet moment in the tunnel between Liverpool midfielder James Milner and Aston Villa skipper Micah Richards who share an embrace.

Then comes Kolo Toure, with a warm hug and a pat on the face.

Plenty of love being shown on Valentines Day, it's a Manchester City old boys reunion.

Having basically told him to man up earlier in the season, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp explains why striker Daniel Sturridge gets a start today.

"He is ready now after analysing him for a few sessions. It was easy to find a place for him," said Klopp.

Time to repay the faith, Danny boy.

BBC Radio 5 Live

Former Aston Villa midfielder Andy Townsend: "I think it would be wrong for Jurgen Klopp to give up on Christian Benteke. Benteke has more to give but he has got to do more. I like the way Klopp has managed Liverpool so far. I like the way he has managed Daniel Sturridge and told him 'you are coming back in when I give you the nod - and not before'".   

Image source, Reuters

Incredible scenes at the Emirates. Arsenal have won it in the last minute courtesy of a Danny Welbeck header. Leaders Leicester can't believe it.

Head here for all the reaction from that match

How Villa could do with him now. Liverpool don't seem to want him anymore, maybe he can go back on loan?

Happy? Not quite. Benteke is on the bench today.

Image source, Getty Images

Last Saturday, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was in hospital having had surgery to remove his appendix.

As someone who under went the same procedure last year, it was remarkable to see him back on the bench against West Ham just four days later. I was laid up in bed for a week after.

It must be that German engineering that keeps him going. Wonder what surgical work he'll do to the Liverpool squad this summer...

Gotta say, it's quite full on in that Liverpool warm up. James Milner has just sent Emre Can tumbling to the deck with a hefty tackle when trying to retrieve the ball.

No harm done on the German though, who gets up and pats the hand of his team-mate.

BBC Radio 5 Live

Former Aston Villa captain Andy Townsend: "Until Aston Villa win back-to-back games they are going down. I would love to believe they can turn it round but the odds and stats don't suggest they will."

Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler used to love playing against Aston Villa and scored some crackers past them too...

Both teams out warming up on the pitch. It's a gloriously sunny day at Villa Park, although there is a little bit of a chill in the air.

Some players have hats and gloves on, while others are braving the British weather.

No sign of Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge's own branded clothing, after reports he has been banned by the club, external from wearing his own gear. Sponsors and all that.

Image source, Getty Images

Remember, Liverpool go into this game on the back of a gruelling 120 minutes of FA Cup replay action against West Ham on Wednesday...and they lost that game too.

Confidence in the Red men could be fragile, so can Aston Villa take advantage?

A spanner in the works for 10-man Leicester, as the Premier League leaders are pegged back at Emirates Stadium. Theo Walcott slots in from close range. 20 minutes left in that match.

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