Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has insisted that his young squad are ready to push Liverpool all the way at Anfield tomorrow.

Lambert's side are precariously placed within goal difference of the relegation zone, but he has challenged his squad to match the Reds and keep their five-match unbeaten run going.

He told the club's official website: "My players will thrive on it. They will love the atmosphere and the occasion of it.

"It's a really prestigious stadium and the players who have played there, past and present, have been world-class. I know how hard it is going to be. I also know Brendan Rodgers very well, he's a great guy and he did a brilliant job at Swansea. He's then gone to Liverpool and got them going.

"It will be a good atmosphere and something we will try and enjoy.

"We're doing really fine. The other night the lads were excellent the way they went about things but regardless of that result, Liverpool was always going to be tough. But we are going to go there and try and win it."

Villa progressed to the League Cup semi-finals in their last match with a 4-1 victory over Lambert's former side Norwich City.