Good evening and welcome to LIVE text coverage of the Barclays Premier League clash between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield. The hosts will be hoping to build upon a solid start to the new campaign after winning two of their opening three fixtures. A superb 3-0 success at Tottenham prior to the international break has set the standard for Brendan Rodgers' men after they followed up a sluggish 2-1 opening day triumph over Southampton with a 3-1 defeat at champions Manchester City. Meanwhile, Aston Villa have surprised their critics thus far with wins over Hull and Stoke while a draw with Newcastle ensures they remain unbeaten in the league heading into tonight's match in L4. Kick off 5.30pm BST.

So who do you fancy this evening? Will Liverpool finally get the better of Lambert in L4? Or will the Villans continue their surprise early season form? Tweet me your views.

KICK OFF! Aston Villa get us underway. The prize for tonight's winner? Second spot... just behind a very impressive Chelsea.

Aston Villa are the only team in the Premier League with more points (7) than shots on target (5).

STAT: Liverpool have lost just THREE of the last 25 league meetings with Villa, home and away. In fact, the Merseysiders have won 79 points against the Villans in the Premier League – more than any other team.

STAT: Steven Gerrard has notched 12 Barclays Premier League goals against Aston Villa; four more than versus any other team.

A big day for this man too.

Paul Lambert is in buoyant mood heading to Merseyside and why not? Villa are unbeaten in their last three trips to Anfield, winning once and drawing twice. Indeed, the Scot has never tasted defeat here as a Premier League manager, also drawing once with Norwich. Speaking ahead of the clash, he told his pre-match press conference: "It’s definitely the strongest squad since I’ve been here. We’re playing really well and we’ve picked up some good points along the way. There’s a lot of confidence here at the minute and a lot of praise and rightly so. They’re all at a good age, even Kieran Richardson, and it’s good to have a nucleus of English lads with energy to play football. With Tom coming in he will certainly add to that."

The Anfield faithful greet Balotelli with a big ovation.

A Liverpool hero of years gone by echoes Rodgers' thoughts with his pre-match verdict on the talent on the bench.

Liverpool may have some injury concerns heading into this encounter, but Brendan Rodgers feels he now has a squad that can cope with such setbacks. He told reporters: "We have options now and that's key for us. We had a great window in terms of the calibre of players we brought in. We signed young players with quality and some with more experience as that's what we needed. We were very specific about the types we were bringing in and they have all adapted very well. We did some really good business. Adam (Lallana) is looking good and he will go on and show his qualities. Rickie (Lambert) has mostly had an impact from the bench since he came in. We saw it with England the other night when he come on and set up the goal for (Danny) Welbeck."

Overall league head-to-head: Liverpool 84 wins, Villa 54 wins, 40 draws.... At Anfield: Liverpool 54 wins, Villa 16 wins, 19 draws.

Last season the sides drew 2-2 at Anfield after Liverpool came from 2-0 down to rescue a point. Andres Weimann and Christian Benteke put the Villans 2-0 up inside 36 minutes, but Daniel Sturridge and Steven Gerrard (penalty) got the Reds out of jail.

Hot off the press from deep within the bowels of Anfield.

Liverpool hand full debuts to summer signings Adam Lallana and Lazar Markovic (first start) while Mario Balotelli makes his home bow. There is also a surprise omission from the Reds' starting XI as Raheem Sterling, who has starred for club and country in recent months, drops to the bench. Meanwhile, Tom Cleverley, on-loan from Manchester United, makes his maiden appearance in a Villa shirt.

TEAMS - LIVERPOOL: Mignolet, Manquillo, Moreno, Lovren, Sakho, Gerrard, Henderson, Coutinho, Markovic, Lallana, Balotelli... Subs: Jones, Enrique, Lucas, Toure, Sterling, Lambert, Borini . /// ASTON VILLA: Guzan, Hutton, Baker, Senderos, Cissokho, Westwood, Delph, Cleverley, Richardson, Agbonlahor, Weimann... Subs: Okore, Bacuna, Bent, Sanchez, N’Zogbia, Given, Grealish.