Aston Villa vs Liverpool: Carlos Sanchez and Rudy Gestede face late fitness tests as Jack Grealish misses out

Aston Villa will make late decisions on the fitness of Rudy Gestede and Carlos Sanchez ahead of Sunday's (14 February) clash with Liverpool, but defender Alan Hutton is in contention to make his return.

Sanchez, 30, has not played for the club since Boxing Day when he picked up an injury against West Ham United, missing the club's last six games in the process. Gestede, meanwhile, suffered a hamstring strain in the goalless draw with West Brom on 23 January.

Elsewhere, Jack Grealish has been ruled out by Remi Garde after the 20-year-old suffered an ankle injury while training with the club's under-21s this week. "Jack went over on his ankle in a reserve team session. It's not very good and he definitely won't be available," Garde said. "Hopefully with the break after that, Jack will be available for our next league game."

Libor Kozak [ankle], Adama Traore [foot] and Jordan Amavi [knee] all also remain out for Villa, who are eight points adrift of safety ahead of the visit of Jurgen Klopp's side.

Gabby Agbonlahor is expected to start after scoring in the 2-0 win over Norwich City last Saturday (6 February). The 29-year-old had initially struggled for fitness following Garde's arrival at Villa Park, but the former Lyon manager is now hopeful he can have a decisive role in the club's end-of-season run-in.

"We missed time to know each other better because when I arrived he was injured and he was away for a long time getting treatment," Garde told Sky.

"He has different qualities from the other players and is the one most attracted by the goal and the way he runs on the pitch is different. He likes to go behind the defensive line and stretches the opponent, and it's very difficult to defend against. The way he runs deep also creates space for other players."