Injury-hit Liverpool go to Sunderland

The Premier League resumes after the international break with all but one of the big teams in action on Saturday.

The game of the day kicks off at lunchtime at Villa Park, where Martin O'Neill's young and enthusiastic Aston Villa outfit take on league leaders Chelsea.

The Londoners are flying high having won all but one of their opening eight games but face a test of their title credentials in Birmingham.

There is a doubt over the fitness of Michael Ballack who suffered an ankle injury while on international duty with Germany. John Terry also appeared to damage an ankle against Belarus and will have to be assessed.

Villa, as ever, look hungry. After winning five in a row they have experienced something of a stutter, first losing to Blackburn and then drawing with Manchester City.

That draw was a rarity for the Premier League this season, which has seen just nine draws in the entire division - and only three of those have featured any of the clubs in the top seven.

Second-placed Manchester United entertain neighbours Bolton. New signing Gabriel Obertan and full-back Rafael both emerged unscathed from action with the reserves on Monday, but are still thought to be some way from first-team action. Ryan Giggs will be back after a trip to the war-torn African state of Sierra Leone with Unicef. He made the journey after tracing his family tree back to the African state.

Liverpool, whose season is already in peril, travel to Sunderland. The Wearsiders almost pulled off an amazing win at Old Trafford last time out and will be baying for a big scalp. To make matters worse for Rafa Benitez stars Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Dirk Kuyt (above) are all doubts after picking up injuries while on international duty.

Arsenal entertain Birmingham, whose manager Alex McLeish has been handed a £40m war chest by owner Carson Yeung to spend in the January transfer window.

Grudge-match of the day will be at Fratton Park where rock-bottom Portsmouth welcome back their old manager Harry Redknapp and several ex-players who followed him to Spurs. They are sure to get a warm reception.

Saturday's other games see Everton entertain struggling Wolves and West Ham visiting Stoke.

Blackburn take on Burnley and Wigan face Manchester City on Sunday, with Hull heading south to Fulham on Monday night. ·