Reds boss Roy Hodgson has been on friendly terms with Villa's French tactician for some years, but the pair are expected to put those niceties to one side on Monday.
Both sides could do with the points from their latest fixture, with Liverpool's inconsistencies this season well documented.
Since winning three on the bounce to clamber into the top half, the Merseyside giants have taken maximum points from only one of their last four fixtures.
Three points against Villa would lift the Reds back into top-four contention, though, so there is still all to play for.
Unfortunately for the hosts history is not on their side, with only one of the last seven meetings between the two clubs ending in a home win.
On a more positive note for Liverpool, Villa have struggled badly on their travels of late.
Only one victory has been taken from their last eight Premier League matches on the road, with a narrow 2-1 derby success over Wolves achieved back in September.
The Midlands outfit have also won just once at Anfield on their last 17 visits, although that did come the last time they headed to the North West.
Worryingly for Houllier, who returns to Liverpool on Monday for the first time as a manager since parting company with the club back in 2004, Villa have fared little better at home of late.
The Frenchman has overseen just two victories during his time at the Villa Park helm, with a run of just one win in nine leaving his side languishing two points above the drop zone.
Sotirios Kyrgiakos will take Jamie Carragher's place in central defence, with Liverpool's vice-captain having undergone surgery on a shoulder injury.
Carragher sustained a dislocation in last weekend's defeat at Tottenham and is likely to be out for three months, leaving the team with only two senior centre-backs in the form of Greek ace Kyrgiakos and Martin Skrtel.
Hodgson will welcome back a number of first-choice players having left eight at home, only three of whom were injured, for the Europa League draw with Steaua Bucharest last Thursday.
Captain Steven Gerrard is likely to be at least another week away from returning from a hamstring injury sustained on England duty last month while no date has been set for defender Daniel Agger's return.
Aston Villa winger Ashley Young is suspended for Monday's encounter.
Young collected his fifth booking of the campaign during the Carling Cup semi-final defeat against Birmingham last Wednesday and will have to serve a one-game ban.
Midfielder Barry Bannan is also rated doubtful by Houllier after being substituted with a groin injury against the Blues.
Stephen Ireland and Robert Pires will come under consideration for a recall to the starting line-up. Former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey has resumed training following a knee problem but it is too early for him to be considered.
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Kyrgiakos, Konchesky, Kuyt, Lucas, Meireles, Rodriguez, Ngog, Torres.
Aston Villa: Friedel, Luke Young, Dunne, Collins, Warnock, Pires, Ireland, Clark, Downing, Carew, Agbonlahor.
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