Afternoon all. So, who is going to win this one? Aston Villa and Liverpool have been having contrasting fortunes of late, but the beauty of the Premier League means that on their day, anyone can beat anyone! Let's hope it's a decent game of football!

First of all, though, let's get the team news from Villa Park, starting with the hosts...

VILLA: Guzan; Hutton, Okore, Baker, Cissokho; Sanchez, Westwood, Delph, Cleverley; Agbonlahor, Benteke

VILLA SUBS: Given, Bacuna, Weimann, Richardson, Gil, N'Zogbia, Lowton

The big news for Villa is that recent arrival from Valenica Carles Gil is among the substitutes. However, no doubt the fans will be delighted to see Fabian Delph in the starting lineup following an injury stint. Elsewhere, Nathan Baker has come in at centre-back, while Christian Benteke, who has a positive record against Liverpool, starts as a lone centre-forward.

And now for the visitors...

LIVERPOOL XI: Mignolet; Can, Skrtel, Sakho; Markovic, Moreno; Lucas, Henderson, Sterling, Coutinho; Borini

LIVERPOOL SUBS: Ward, Enrique, Lambert, Manquillo, Lallana, Ibe, Williams

As expected, Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard misses out at Villa Park, with the midweek League Cup semi-final against Chelsea in mind. In midfield, Jordan Henderson is paired by Lucas, with Raheem Sterling back after being granted extended leave. Fabio Borini starts up front once again, while Jordan Ibe is among the substitutes following his return from a loan stint with Derby County.

And staying for Liverpool for a moment, here's a look inside their dressing room at Villa Park:

PHOTO: A peek inside #LFC's dressing room at Villa Park pic.twitter.com/ti5Cha5jwg

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 17, 2015

As mentioned in the introduction piece, all eyes will be on events off the pitch, as well as on it today. But why?...

"For reasons only a few people know, Paul Lambert was awarded a new contract this season after two seasons of underachievement. But as it's the decision of the club to stick with the manager and in our role as supporters, knowing the owner isn't going to change his mind while trying to sell the club, we have to play our part.

"However, things are not right at Aston Villa and it's not just under Paul Lambert. There have been too many seasons of under achievement and this great club and its supporters deserve better.

"It's clear to the footballing world that things are not as they should be at Aston Villa and unless things change soon, the decline will continue."

The above is an open letter titled 'We Want Our Villa Back' posted on three supporters' website. The plan is to stay away from their seats for the first eight minutes to represent each of the eight seasons that the club has been owned by Randy Lerner.

© Getty Images

So, what is making the Villa fans so unhappy? Well, this season alone, the Midlands outfit have grabbed just three points from a possible 18 in their last three Premier League fixtures and have scored just 11 goals, which is the lowest tally across all four divisions.

And here are Lambert's thoughts on the boycott: "I understand the fans' frustrations, but we'll have a better chance of winning a game of football if they don't do it, if they stick with the lads, no matter how hard it gets at times," the Villa boss told reporters.

"When the stadium is behind the players it's a great place to play football, and we've a better chance of winning if they don't do it."

And let's finish off this subject with hearing from Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, who told reporters: "It is unfortunate that is the case. Aston Villa is traditionally a wonderful club but their model has been about bringing in young players.

"Paul is a very good manager who is doing the best with the resources that he has so it is one where we have to go there with our own concentration and focus on our own job. Whether there is five people or 50,000 people in the stadium, it can make no difference to us.

"Our intensity, pressure and tempo needs to be the same. It's a wonderful pitch there and over the course of time Liverpool have normally done well there. We've played well there during my games and hopefully that will continue."

VIDEO PREVIEW! So, who is going to win this encounter then? Here, Sports Mole's very own Pascal Lemesre and Barney Corkhill have their say:

Speaking pre-match, Lambert has confirmed that Gil is likely to make his debut from the bench at some stage. So, what do we know about the 22-year-old? He came through the ranks at Valencia and scored one senior La Liga goal.

Here's what he has had to say about his switch: I really like [David Silva] as a player, when he was at Valencia and now at Manchester City. He's such a huge player - he's the best in Europe. We can't compare to each other. He's followed a path to the Premier League and I'm not on that path yet.

"Valencia is my lifetime club. I've spent many years there but Aston Villa were a club that really interested me. So it was easy to make that decision and I'm really looking forward to working here."

And here is Gil warming up with his new teammates:

The Villa lads carry out their pre-match warm-up. #AVFC #LFC https://t.co/QRCrAqxKFc — Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) January 17, 2015

PREDICTION: So, what is going to happen today then? It's going to be a strange atmosphere, that's for sure, which could have a negative impact on the home players. Meanwhile, Liverpool are full of confidence and even without Gerrard, I expect them to win today. Let's say 1-0, with Sterling finding the net.

Right, the players are now making their way out on to the pitch at Villa Park. Incidentally, the Holte End is pretty full! Not long now until we get underway.

KICKOFF! Visiting Liverpool, playing in all yellow, get this encounter off and running.

Bright start from the away side at Villa Park as they force an early corner. The ball drops for Philippe Coutinho at the back post, but the Brazilian cannot keep his effort on target.

Good stuff from Villa, who are starting to play their way into this contest. Westwood in particular is showing his good range of passing, which is pegging Liverpool back into their own half. A couple of corners have come to nothing, but it's good signs nonetheless.

As far as the standard of football is concerned, this is a really good encounter to watch. However, in terms of chances, we've seen very little. Both sides are struggling to create any openings of note right now.

DISALLOWED GOAL! All of a sudden there is a goal, but it's been chalked off! Liverpool wing-back Moreno bursts through and lashes a low shot beyond Guzan's reach, but his celebration is cut short by the linesman's flag. Replays show that it was close, but it's the correct decision.

Awful defending from Villa, but Liverpool will not care one little bit as they break the deadlock. A throw finds Henderson, is afforded too much time to cross from the right. Waiting in the area is an unmarked Borini, who smartly volleys past Guzan. Where an earth was the Villa defence? Lambert looks unimpressed and you can understand why.

The Villa crowd are not happy and it's almost understandable as to why they are venting their frustration. Mistakes are being made on a frequent basis, mainly where possession is concerned. Too many passes are going astray and it looks like being only a matter of time before Liverpool double their lead.

CHANCE! Liverpool playmaker Coutinho is not known for his heading ability, but he goes close to scoring with it! He arrives late in the box to meet Markovic's cross, but Guzan is alert to hold his effort.

Villa are having plenty of the ball right now, but creating chances is proving very tough. They are just lacking that bit of quality in the final third.

SAVE! A huge opportunity for Liverpool to extend their lead, but Sterling fluffs his lines. His pace sees him burst through the Villa rearguard unopposed. However, just when he needs to show a clincial touch, the winger tries to be too clever and his lofted effort is easily stopped by Guzan. A defining moment? We shall see.

CHANCE! That's the first real sight of goal for Villa as Westwood slips in Cleverley on the right side of the box. The Manchester United loanee cuts inside, but instead of shooting with his left foot as he should, he tries to use the outside of his right boot and only succeeds in sending his effort over the crossbar.

There goes the whistle for the break and it's Liverpool that lead. From a Villa point of view, there has been very little to lift the gloom. It's a big second half, that's for sure.

While the home side have had a decent amount of possession, they have found creating chances so hard. Meanwhile, up the other end, they've been poor on the ball at times, which has allowed Liverpool to launch some counter-attacks. If that continues, you can only see one outcome here. The fans are also not happy, with their side looking like making it seven Premier League games without a win.

That's not to say that Liverpool have been brilliant, but they deservedly lead. While they are still well short of being the side that lit up the Premier League last term, there are signs that they are starting to move the ball from back to front much quicker. They are also harrying the Villa defence to make mistakes. Having said that, Rodgers will be hoping that Sterling's failure to convert his chance does not come back to haunt them.

MATCH ACTION! Before the action gets back underway, here is Borini celebrating the goal that splits these two sides.

© Getty Images

RESTART! Villa, who trail 1-0, get the proceedings underway again here. It's a big 45 minutes for the hosts.

There's been a couple of early corners for the home side, both conceded by Markovic, but both come to nothing. There doesn't look to be much movement inside the area.

SAVE! Then, up the other end, Liverpool go ever so close to extending their lead. Skrtel's knockdown falls for Borini, but his scuffed effort is palmed to safety by Guzan. Had the Italian made a clean connection, it would surely be 2-0 to Liverpool.

BOOKING! The first yellow card of the contest goes the way of Villa and Okore for a foul on the lively Sterling.

VILLA SUBS: Here comes Villa new boy Gil, who takes the place of Westwood. The disappointing Cleverley also trudges off and is replaced by Weimann, who should add some pace to the proceedings.

SAVE! That's the best chance of the match for Villa as the ball breaks kindly for Benteke inside the area. The Belgian swivels and powers his effort goalwards from a narrow angle, but Mignolet stands up well to block. That's lifted the crowd if nothing else!

CHANCE! Liverpool remain a threat, though, particularly on the counter-attack. Moreno raids down the left flank, before picking out Borini in the middle. However, the Italian's shot is always rising and causes little problem to Guzan.

CHANCE! How are Villa not level here?! Only Baker can tell you! He rises highest to meet Delph's cross, but from only six yards out, the centre-back powers his header well over. That's a great chance for the hosts.

LIVERPOOL SUBS: First changes of the contest for Liverpool and it's the lively Moreno that is taken off. He's been replaced by fellow Spaniard Jose Enrique. Goalscorer Borini also comes off, with Rickie Lambert entering the action.

Gil has certainly made an impression in the Villa midfield since he entered the action. He's neat and tidy in possession and is looking to break into the Liverpool area whenever he can.

Game over and Lambert is delighted! The home side give away possession 20 yards from their own goal and Sterling reacts by picking out Lambert. He takes one touch, turns, and then fires in a low shot into the bottom corner of Guzan's net. That's a really good finish from the boyhood Liverpool fan and it's surely sealed the points!

The Lambert goal summed up perfectly by Danny Mills over on BBC Sport:

"Outstanding finish from Rickie Lambert. Disliked into the bottom corner, but Villa punished for trying to play the ball out from the corner."

BOOKING! Incidentally, Lambert was cautioned for his celebration. He almost jumped in with the visiting supporters!

LIVERPOOL SUB: Final alteration for Liverpool and it's Sterling that walks off and is replaced by the returning Ibe.

There will be four minutes of stoppage time here at Villa Park.

There goes the final whistle, which tells us what we've known for some time - Liverpool will head back to Merseyside with all three points, while Villa's wait for a Premier League win continues. Dark days indeed at Villa Park.

That's all we have time for from Villa Park. Thanks for joining us this afternoon and be sure to stick with Sports Mole throughout the evening for match reaction, analysis and player ratings. Until next time, goodbye.