Steven Gerrard returns for Liverpool as they play Aston Villa for a place in the FA Cup final at Wembley this afternoon.

The Reds skipper has been suspended for the past three games after being sent off less than a minute after coming on as a half-time substitute in the defeat to Manchester United back on March 22.

Lazar Markovic also comes into the fold as manager Brendan Rodgers reverts back to a three-man defence of Emre Can, Dejan Lovren and Martin Skrtel, who himself is back from suspension.

Meanwhile, Villa boss Tim Sherwood has left out Gabriel Agbonlahor. In-form Christian Benteke starts as the lone striker, with Charles N'Zogbia entrusted to help the Belgium international from deep.

Jack Grealish is selected in midfield alongside Tom Cleverley, while Shay Given is preferred ahead of first-choice goalkeeper Brad Guzan.

Liverpool: Mignolet; Can, Lovren, Skrtel, Moreno, Markovic; Gerrard, Allen, Henderson; Sterling, Coutinho

Aston Villa: Given; Bacuna, Baker, Vlaar, Richardson; Westwood, Delph, Cleverley, Grealish, N'Zogbia; Benteke

Catch Sports Mole's live commentary of the game at Wembley by clicking here.

Written by
Paul Gorst