15.05.2005 - Key duo to miss Villa clash

---

Steven Gerrard and Luis Garcia will both miss Liverpool's Premiership match against Aston Villa this afternoon, with minor injuries keeping both of of the Reds' final league game of the season.

Both players have thigh problems and with Liverpool's hopes of finishing 4th already ended, and the Champions League final now just ten days away, neither will be risked by Rafa Benitez.

However, there could be a first start of 2005 for Djibril Cisse, who has featured in the last eight games as a substitute. It will be Cisse's first starting appearance at Anfield since mid-October should he be included in Rafa's initial eleven.

Nolberto Solano, whose free kick denied the Reds a win in the reverse fixture back in December, is expected to return to the Aston Villa side, while Thomas Hitzelsperger makes his final appearance for Villa ahead of his move to Germany.

Hitzelsperger's Aston Villa debut was also against Liverpool in 2001, with the Reds recording a 3-0 victory on that occasion.

The game is due to kick off at 3pm, when both sides will be aiming for the first win on the final day of the season since 2002.