Sat 21st Nov - Turf Moor
By Richard Torgerson Last updated: 29th December 2008
Laursen: Points to Reds
You should never write off Manchester United or Chelsea, but at the moment, Liverpool are ahead on all levels
Martin Laursen
Quotes of the week
Aston Villa defender Martin Laursen believes Liverpool will win the Premier League after watching Sunday's 5-1 destruction of Newcastle.
Laursen is fully aware of how impressive the win was for Liverpool as they ended the year three points clear at the top.
Newcastle have fared well against the top teams this season, including an away win against Laursen's Villa, as well as two draws against Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge.
After Liverpool's emphatic win over the weekend, Laursen feels the Merseyside club are in prime position to end their 18-year-wait for league success.
"Liverpool are great and my favourites to win the title," the 31-year-old told Ekstra Bladet.
"Everything works for the team and they play positive and attacking football. They have a good squad and seek goal opportunities all the time.
"You should never write off Manchester United or Chelsea, but at the moment, Liverpool are ahead on all levels."
Laursen also singled out Reds skipper Steven Gerrard as the outstanding performer at St James' Park and he feels the midfielder will be pivotal in Liverpool's quest to bring the title back to Anfield.
"Gerrard was the man (against Newcastle)," Laursen added.
"He both scored and created opportunities for other players. He is a great player that has had an enormous impact on Liverpool's success.
"If he can make it through the season without injuries, then Liverpool will look more and more like champions to me."

Burnley 1-1 Aston Villa - Thompson
Burnley 1-1 Aston Villa - Coyle
Warnock on England
Aston Villa 5-1 Bolton - Nicholas
Aston Villa 5-1 Bolton - O'Neill
West Ham 2-1 Aston Villa - O'Neill
West Ham 2-1 Aston Villa - Zola
Injury woes worry O'Neill
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 28th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 17:30 | Aston Villa vs Tottenham |
| Tuesday 1st December | |
| Carling Cup | |
| 19:45 | Portsmouth vs Aston Villa |
| Saturday 5th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Aston Villa vs Hull |
| Saturday 12th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 17:30 | Man Utd vs Aston Villa |
| Tuesday 15th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Sunderland vs Aston Villa |
| Saturday 19th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Aston Villa vs Stoke |
| Sunday 27th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | Arsenal vs Aston Villa |
| Tuesday 29th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Aston Villa vs Liverpool |
| Saturday 9th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Wigan vs Aston Villa |
| Sunday 17th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | Aston Villa vs West Ham |
| Wednesday 27th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Aston Villa vs Arsenal |
| Saturday 30th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Fulham vs Aston Villa |
| Saturday 6th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Tottenham vs Aston Villa |
| Wednesday 10th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Aston Villa vs Man Utd |
| Saturday 20th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Aston Villa vs Burnley |
| Saturday 27th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Hull vs Aston Villa |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Saturday 21st November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Burnley 1 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Saturday 7th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Aston Villa 5 - 1 Bolton | |
| Wednesday 4th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| West Ham 2 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Saturday 31st October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Everton 1 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Tuesday 27th October | |
| Carling Cup | |
| Sunderland 0 - 0 Aston Villa | |
| Saturday 24th October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Wolverhampton 1 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Saturday 17th October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Aston Villa 2 - 1 Chelsea | |
| Monday 5th October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Aston Villa 1 - 1 Man City | |
| Saturday 26th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Blackburn 2 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Wednesday 23rd September | |
| Carling Cup | |
| Aston Villa 1 - 0 Cardiff | |
| Saturday 19th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Aston Villa 2 - 0 Portsmouth | |
| Sunday 13th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Birmingham 0 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Sunday 30th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Aston Villa 2 - 0 Fulham | |
| Thursday 27th August | |
| Europa League Qualifying | |
| Aston Villa 2 - 1 Rapid Vienna | |
| Monday 24th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Liverpool 1 - 3 Aston Villa | |
| Thursday 20th August | |
| Europa League Qualifying | |
| Rapid Vienna 1 - 0 Aston Villa | |
| Saturday 15th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Aston Villa 0 - 2 Wigan | |
| Saturday 8th August | |
| Friendly Match | |
| Aston Villa 1 - 0 Fiorentina | |
| Tuesday 4th August | |
| Friendly Match | |
| Oxford Utd 2 - 0 Aston Villa | |
| Sunday 2nd August | |
| Friendly Match | |
| Juventus 0 - 0 Aston Villa | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Arsenal | 12 | 25 |
| 4 | Tottenham Hotspur | 13 | 25 |
| 5 | Aston Villa | 13 | 22 |
| 6 | Manchester City | 12 | 21 |
| 7 | Liverpool | 13 | 20 |
Pictures from Saturday's action where Liverpool draw with Man City and Arsenal lose away.
Bristol City fan Hannah Shine was strutting her as the Soccerette in the Soccer AM studios this week.
Preston North End fan Hazel Fox was strutting her stuff in the Soccer AM studios this week.
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill was delighted to see Stewart Downing make his debut for the club.
Chelsea continued their relentless march at the top of the table as Arsenal lost to Sunderland and Manchester City held Liverpool.
Martin O'Neill felt Aston Villa were good value for their 1-1 draw away at Burnley on Saturday.
Aston Villa left it late before securing a 1-1 draw against Burnley at fortress Turf Moor on Saturday.
Milan Jovanovic's agent has played down speculation that the Serbia star could be on the move in January.