The 27-year-old played sixty minutes in the Emerald green shirt this Wednesday and is now close to making a bid for a regular starting place after suffering an injury-plagued start to his Anfield career.
"I haven't decided if Steve is ready yet but he is under consideration to play from the start now", admitted Houllier.
"If he is not ready to start against Villa I am hoping he will be okay for the Spurs match next week. We will have to wait and see."
