Liverpool v Aston Villa Match Report

Gerard Houllier’s return to Anfield was not as he wanted, as he walked away losing 3-0 against Liverpool Monday night.

Liverpool were even without some of their top players, such as Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, and Fernando Torres who missed the game due to his wife going into labour.

The game seemed to go wrong nearly from the start, as the ball bounced off defender Martin Skrtel’s head, onto David Ngog’s, then into the back of the net 13 minutes in.

Only two minutes later did midfielder Lucas chip the ball to Ryan Babel, who then put it past Villa keeper Brad Friedel to make it 2-0.

Aston Villa failed to make anything happen, leaving the game one-sided in the first half.

However the beginning of the second half saw a livelier Villa. The visiting side finally had their chance in the 53rd minute when Gabriel Agbonlahor took a shot six yards away from the goal, but was swiftly denied a goal by Reds’ keeper Pepe Renia.

Desperate for a goal, Villa’s players were pushing forward, consequently leaving holes in the defense.

This gave Liverpool midfielder Maxi Rodriguez to easily break through and make it 3-0 in the 55th minute. The goal puts Liverpool +1 in goal difference on the league table.

Villa’s John Carew nearly scored right after subbing for Agbonlahor 66 minutes into the match, but Reina saved it. It would be Villa’s second, and last, attempt on target.

Liverpool nearly made it worse for Houllier’s side with close attempts by both Glen Johnson and Sotirios Kyrgiakos.

Pepe Reina, playing captain for the night while Gerrard and Carragher are both injured, walked away from the match with his 100th clean sheet in record time for the club.

Aston Villa are currently two places from the relegation zone on the Premier League table. Liverpool’s win put them in 8th position from 12th.