Result: Liverpool 3 - 1 Aston Villa

Liverpool can today put behind them the misery of last week after sealing a most comfortable victory yesterday against Aston Villa, Liverpool going in to the break with a 3-0 lead.

The lineup was certainly strong and Craig Bellamy’s absence through injury was barely noticed as the team gave it 110% and then some to secure a 3-1 win against a previously unbeaten Aston Villa.

Dirk Kuyt opened the scoring after an opening half hour that Liverpool clearly dominated. Jamie Carragher lofted a high pass to the right edge of the box for Sami Hyypia to rise and head down into the path of Kuyt who calmly collected the ball on his chest before turning and firing to Sorensen’s right hand side, low into the corner of the net. Fantastic volley by the Dutchman.

Ten minutes later, Peter Crouch made it 2-0 after some great build play between Garcia, Alonso and Kuyt out on the right, the ball ended up with Steve Finnan who crossed in to the centre of the box for Peter Crouch to turn almost ballerina-like, stricking out his right leg to volley the ball past Sorensen on his left. Looked more like miskick, the ball bouncing off Crouch’s shin but defensively for the second goal Aston Villa looked a pure mess.

Just before the break then Liverpool made it 3-0, Stevie G tearing up the centre before flicking the ball off his heel for Dirk Kut outside the box, Kuyt teeing up Crouch who set Garcia free inside the right of the box to sidefoot past Sorensen. Brilliant display of teamwork to form the goal, Garcia slotting the ball home on his left foot just inside the post.

Aston Villa did manage to get one goal back after a half-time substitution by Martin O’Neill, Milan Baros and Juan Pablo Angel both removed at the break.Ten minutes into the second half Villa got their only goal of the game, Chris Sutton teeing up Agbonlahor to fire past Reina from 10 yards. Hats off to them, was a great goal.

Liverpool looked a threat in the early stages of the second half, Kuyt, Crouch and Gerrard all coming close, Gerrard rattling the post just before Villa grabbed their goal but at the end of the day it was Liverpool who ran out more than deserving winners after a fine confidence-boosting performance, I think, at Anfield.

Fair play lads.

Popularity: 13% [?]