Aston Villa VS Liverpool- FA SEMI FINAL, Teams News, Facts, and previews.

Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood has said it is "touch and go" whether Gabriel Agbonlahor will overcome a hamstring strain in time to face Liverpool.

MATCH PREVIEW

"He always produces big goals and big moments. He knows Wembley very well. He's got special quality".

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has set the stage for Steven Gerrard to play a limelight role in what could be a fascinating FA Cup semi-final.

Back from his three-match ban, the Reds' captain will have his heart set on winning a third FA Cup in his final game for the club on his 35th birthday next month. It would be the last chapter of his epic FA Cup history.

He became a Liverpool legend with his performance against Patrick Vieira in the 2001 cup final against Arsenal, and his stoppage time rasper in 2006 saved them against West Ham.

The script seems to have already been written.

Lawro's prediction
"With five goals in his last three Villa games, Christian Benteke's form is a worry for Liverpool but they will pose a threat too. Whoever plays for them, I feel the Reds will do more damage with their pace through the middle and up front."
Predictions: Lawro v Wade 'Bad News' Barrett

But there's a major problem in the assumption that Liverpool will win this as easily as some bookies suggest with odds of 8/13 and Villa 5/1 outsiders.

Can the Red's defence hold Christian Benteke in his current form. He's scored eight goals in his last six games on his personal quest to make up for lost time after injury wrecked last summer's World Cup dream and shabby form ruined the early part of his comeback.

Tim Sherwood, a beaten semi finalist twice in his playing days at Tottenham, has his Villa side now perfectly set up to play to Benteke's strengths. They are getting the ball up to him early and they're creating far more chances from a more direct style.

The real pressure is on Liverpool in this one.

No Liverpool manager has failed to lift silverware in his first three years in charge since Phil Taylor in the 1950's. Rodgers knows the significance this competition could have on his career. Jurgen Klopp's sudden availability will cast a shadow over a few current managers.

The head says Liverpool. The heart, ruled by the Gerrard story, says Liverpool. But somewhere deep deep down in my gut (and that's not a pleasant thought!) I have a feeling Benteke will win it.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Liverpool and Villa have met in a FA Cup semi-final on three previous occasions, with the Villans winning in 1897 and Liverpool progressing in 1914 and 1996. Villa went on to win the trophy, while Liverpool were beaten in the final on both occasions.
• They have met seven times in total in the FA Cup. Villa won that first meeting in 1897, but have lost the subsequent six matches.
• In their last meeting in 1996, Liverpool won the semi-final 3-0 at Old Trafford thanks to a brace from Robbie Fowler and a Jason McAteer goal.

Aston Villa

• Villa's most recent FA Cup triumph back in 1957 was then a competition-record seventh victory.
• Their only appearance in an FA Cup final since 1957 was in 2000 when they lost 1-0 to Chelsea.
• The Villans have made the FA Cup semi-final on 20 previous occasions, winning 10 and losing 10. However, they have lost seven of the last nine times they have reached this stage.
• The clean sheet they kept in the last round against West Brom was only their second in their last 20 FA Cup matches.
• Villa's previous four FA Cup ties this season have been at home.
• Five of the nine goals in their three FA Cup ties this year have been netted in the 85th minute or later.
• Since Tim Sherwood took over, Christian Benteke is the top scorer in the Premier League with eight goals.

Liverpool

• This is Liverpool's 24th appearance in an FA Cup semi-final - only Arsenal, Manchester United and Everton have played in more.
• They have lost just one of their last nine semi-finals.
• The seven-time winners' last appearance in an FA Cup final was in 2012 when they lost to Chelsea 2-1, and they last won it in 2006.
• Jordan Henderson and Simon Mignolet have played 47 games in all competitions this season, which is the joint most across Europe's top five leagues with Jose Callejon of Napoli, Mikel Rico of Athletic Bilbao and Stephane Ruffier of Saint-Etienne.
• Liverpool have five players in their squad to have won the FA Cup before: Glen Johnson (Portsmouth 2008), Mario Balotelli (Manchester City 2011), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool 2001 & 2006), Daniel Sturridge (2010 & 2012), and Kolo Toure (Arsenal 2003 & 2005; Manchester City 2011).
• Steven Gerrard has scored more league goals (12) against Aston Villa than any other side in his career.