Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers believes Aston Villa will provide a stern test this weekend.
The Reds host Paul Lambert's youthful side at Anfield on Saturday and Rodgers feels the West Midlands club is well-placed to provide some problems for the Merseysiders.
"They've started well," Rodgers said of Villa who have a record of two wins and a draw from three league outings.
"I'm pleased for Paul because he's gone in and looked to bring in young players.
"The first season was difficult but now they've done well. It's been a tough game for us in the last couple of years."
In this fixture in January last season, Liverpool came from two goals down to force a 2-2 draw with Villa following their narrow 1-0 at Villa Park earlier in the campaign.
