PREMIER LEAGUE

Sunday 31 August

ASTON VILLA v LIVERPOOL

The main attraction will no doubt be Gareth Barry as Aston Villa host Liverpool just one day before the summer transfer window closes.

The Villa skipper has been the subject of a highly-publicised move to the Anfield club and managers Rafael Benitez and Martin O'Neill have both expressed their anger at the move which looks unlikely to take place.

The Reds are set to welcome Javier Mascherano back into midfield as the Argentina international is back from the Beijing Olympics. Bad news for the Reds however is that skipper Steven Gerrard has been ruled out with a groin injury and will be forced to undergo surgery.

Veteran defender Sami Hyypia is also doubtful with a hamstring injury, while Ryan Babel is pushing for a start after playing off the bench in the Champions League in midweek.

For Villa, Nicky Shorey picked up a minor knock in midweek, but should be back to start, while former Rangers defender Carlos Cuellar is being lined up to make his long-awaited debut. Steve Sidwell remains out with a calf injury.

ASTON VILLA (from): Friedel, L Young, Laursen, Cuellar, Davies, Shorey, Reo-Coker, Barry, Petrov, A Young, Agbonlahor, Carew, Taylor, Knight, Harewood, Salifou, Routledge, Gardner, Osbourne, Delfouneso.

LIVERPOOL (from): Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio, Dossena, Benayoun, Babel, Mascherano, Lucas, Plessis, Alonso, Kuyt, Torres, Keane, El Zhar, Cavalieri, Ngog, Agger, Spearing.