Alberto Aquilani Answers Kop Rescue Call

Alberto Aquilani has vowed to save Rafa Benitez by helping to make his guarantee of a top-four place a reality.

The Italian says Liverpool are targeting a five-match winning streak to ease the pressure on their under-fire boss.

And that means crushing Aston Villa in front of their own fans tonight to notch up a second successive win.

Aquilani, 25, finally made his first Premier League start in Saturday's 2-0 home victory over Wolves.

And the injury-plagued midfielder is determined to show Benitez his gamble in paying Roma £20million for him will be paid off, by helping the Reds close in on a Champions League spot.

He said: "I enjoyed the Wolves game, as it was so important for me. Now I want to improve my fitness.

"It was so different to anything I have experienced, as it was so quick and you never really had much time. The football we played was so fast.

"The most important thing was that we won. We need to improve our confidence and we need to keep winning games to move up the table.

"It is crucial to take things step by step but our aim is now to win five games in a row. If we can do that, we will see where that takes us.

"Now we have to face Villa and it is a very important game for our season but we are feeling good and it is important that we try to win."

Aquilani was treated to a standing ovation when he was substituted after 85 minutes against Wolves.

And with Javier Mascherano still banned, Aquilani can expect another start at Villa Park.

Liverpool head to the Midlands bidding to win back-to-back Premier League games for the first time since September 26.

Villa proved their own Champions League potential with a 3-1 win at Anfield in August - the first time Liverpool had lost a home game in the league for over a year.

Another defeat tonight would be a huge setback to Benitez's pledge to steer Liverpool into the top four once again by the middle of May.

But at least history is on their side. They have won seven and drawn five of their last 12 visits.

The last time Villa beat the Reds on home soil was 2-1 back in February 1998 with a Stan Collymore double.

Benitez said: "Villa are a good side. They are doing really well so it's an important game for us.

"We know they are dangerous from set-pieces so we'll have to be careful.

"They have spent some money this season and have some good players with pace - but so do we."