Three key battles in Aston Villa v Liverpool

Agbonlahor v Sakho/Toure

Mamadou Sakho and Kolo Toure have continued their run at centre-half despite a number of leaky performances in recent weeks. The Liverpool duo will come up against in-form Gabriel Agbonlahor on Sunday afternoon. The Villa striker scored in their 2-0 win against Norwich City last weekend. Unsurprisingly, his manager Remi Garde believes the striker is key to Villa’s chances of survival. The 29-year-old has found goals hard to come by, with last Saturday’s his first of the Premier League season. But with his confidence up, Agbonlahor could prove a thorn in Liverpool’s side.

Gueye v Can

Not many of Villa’s signings have impressed in recent seasons, but Idrissa Gueye has acquitted himself well since his summer move from Lille. The 26-year-old will be a robust opponent for Liverpool’s rising star Emre Can. The Senegal international scored his first goal for the Birmingham side in the FA Cup last month. Liverpool will be tired after their 2-1 extra-time defeat by West Ham United in their FA Cup fourth-round replay at Upton Park mid-week. Can, 22, should have the energy resources to recover in time for the Villa Park clash. However, should Can be off colour, Gueye could punish Can and Liverpool.

Bunn v Firmino

Villa may be rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table, but only Fraser Forster, Kasper Schmeichel and Petr Cech have outperformed Mark Bunn in 2016 so far. The Villa No2, who has usurped Brad Guzan, has played five games, lept three clean sheets, made seven saves and only conceded three goals. Bunn will need to be at his best to halt in-form Roberto Firmino. The Brazilian has scored six goals so far this year, as well as making five assists. The £29m signing scored and made an assist in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Sunderland last week. Can sharp shooter Firmino find a way past Bunn? This could be the key battle of the game.