Gerard Houllier has absolute confidence that the mental strength of his players will drive Liverpool out of their slump. Houllier's men meet Aston Villa in tonight's League Cup quarter-final on the back of just one Premiership point from a possible 18.

After their luckless trip to Sunderland on Sunday, they have been hit by a further blow with the news midfielder Dietmar Hamann will be sidelined for a fortnight. But Houllier says his squad's attitude has remained first class through their setbacks and he expects an imminent change in fortune.

Houllier said: "I know the mental strength of the players and the way they stick together will get us through. We are extremely hurt and we felt a lot of pain after the Sunderland defeat because we didn't think we deserved to leave the stadium with nothing.

"I am still trying to find the solution, but I have full trust and confidence in my players and their ability to keep faith in themselves."

Tonight's encounter provides Liverpool with the opportunity to temporarily shunt their Premiership problems to one side. Houllier will name his strongest available side and he believes the game offers the ideal opportunity to put things right before the weekend's Merseyside derby showdown.

Hamann will be sidelined with a shin problem which has recurred after he played through pain at the Stadium of Light, but Emile Heskey will be back after an ankle knock. Houllier added: "I fear Didi will be out for a couple of weeks and that is a blow because he's a very experienced player and midfielder."

Aston Villa v Liverpool

(Villa Park, 7.45, Sky Sports 2)