Former Aston Villa midfielder Ray Houghton has claimed that a planned protest by fans during today's match against Liverpool will only distract the team.

Some supporters are expected to vacate their seats for the opening eight minutes of the game at Villa Park, with each minute representing a year that owner Randy Lerner has been at the club.

While he admits that fans have the right to voice their discontent, Houghton does not believe that it will benefit the players as they look to improve on their poor start to the season.

"People have the right to make their point and I perfectly understand where they are coming from, but it can be counter-productive," the Irishman told Goal.

"There are many things that go on before a game and it is easy to be distracted and, believe me as an ex-player, that is what will happen with the protest.

"All the hype this week has been about the protest but the players need to concentrate on getting a result, and it is typical of their luck that they are meeting a Liverpool side that is picking up again after a bad run."

Aston Villa are currently in 13th place in the Premier League table, three points above the relegation zone.