Villa defender Curtis Davies has questioned the club’s decision to sell Zat Knight before finding a replacement – as Martin O’Neill braced himself for a defensive crisis at Liverpool.

Davies is doubtful for Monday night’s Anfield clash after being forced off with a recurrence of a shoulder problem in Thursday’s defeat to Rapid Vienna.

Should he fail a late fitness test, rookie Shane Lowry could be handed a baptism of fire alongside Carlos Cuellar against Fernando Torres and co for what would be his Premier League debut.

Villa, who lost last season’s corresponding fixture 5-0, are yet to strengthen the heart of their defence despite being left with just two centre-backs following Martin Laursen’s retirement and last month’s sale of Knight to Bolton.

And while Davies is confident signings are imminent – Sylvain Distin and Matthew Upson are high up O’Neill’s list – he expected arrivals before Knight was cleared to depart.

“Am I surprised we’re yet to sign a centre-back? In a way no because I know the manager’s doing something,” said Davies. “The surprise for me was that Zat went before anyone came in. We’ve only got two defenders.

“Zat was half happy to go and the manager was half happy to sell so it was a good thing all round. But there’s going to be people coming in, no matter what happens.”

Villa have come in for criticism from disgruntled fans after losing their first two games of the new season and Davies concedes the players must take it on the chin.

“When you lose a game 2-0 at home you’re going to point the finger at the defence,” he added.

“We like it when we get the praise so we’ve got to take the flak. It’s going to be tough now because we’ve got Liverpool away on Monday.

Davies admits it is pointless making plans to stop Torres – but is desperate to be passed fit to face the Spanish strike sensation.

“You can’t have special plans for a player like Torres,” he added. “He’s one of the best strikers in the world.  You can make a plan for him but he’ll do something different. He’s that good.”

“I actually felt the shoulder was getting stronger. Hopefully I’ll be all right for Monday.”