Aston Villa vs Liverpool Match Report

Aston Villa vs Liverpool Match Report

Borini scores a goal!!!!

 

It may no longer be Christmas but miracles certainly have happened with Fabio Borini scoring a goal for Liverpool.

 

Jokes aside it was actually a good finish from Borini who latched onto an excellent cross from Jordan Henderson. Rickie Lambert secured the three points late on with a good low strike from the edge of the box.

 

The reds have now won 3 in a row while Aston Villa reside only 3 points above the relegation zone and for the second time this season have gone 5 league games without a goal.

 

Little happened early on before some good link up play between Markovic and Sterling gave Henderson a crossing opportunity. He played a fantastic cross for Borini to guide into the back of the net and score his first goal for Liverpool since April 2013.

 

Philippe Coutinho then had a chance to double Liverpools lead through a move he started with an excellent pass out wide to Markovic and the he latched onto a Lazar Markovic cross. However his header was too close to the goalkeeper who made a comfortable save.

 

Raheem Sterling then went through on goal after a header forward from Lucas, but after going clear of the defenders he tamely chipped the ball into the grateful arms of Villa keeper Brad Guzan.

 

Villa were desperate to add to their mere eleven league goals this season and Tom Cleverly had the chance to equalise after he ran onto an Ashley Westwood ball played into the box, but not particularly cleverly for him his shot from his outstretched right boot went over the bar.

 

After half time Borini had a chance to add to his first goal after he was played through by Phillippe Coutinho but was denied by an excellent last ditch tackle from Nathan Baker.

 

Borini hit the post from the resulting corner when Martin Skrtel headed the ball towards goal and he took a wild swing at the ball. Fortuantely for Villa Guzan tipped the ball onto the post and then parried away the resulting shot from Henderson.

 

Villa did pick up during the second half and they had a good chance to equalise through Benteke but his volley from close range only found the Liverpool goalkeeper. Nathan Baker had a good chance from a corner when Mingnolet flapped at the ball giving Baker the chance to score with a header. However his header was too high. Baker had another chance when the ball bounced off Benteke but he missed the ball completely with his attempt from just outside the 6 yard box.

 

Liverpool punished Villa’s lack of clinical finishing when Villa’s defence politely gave substitute Rickie Lambert time and space on the edge of the box to score with a low shot that arrowed into the bottom corner of Guzans net.

 

Overall Liverpool will be pleased with their performance, particularly with their consecutive clean sheet as they had to withstand a decent amount of pressure from an admittedly fairly blunt Villa attack. Villa themselves will be disappointed as they will feel with their second half performance that they should have at least taken a point from the game.

 

Liverpool will be hoping a solid performance will put them in good stead for the first leg of their league cup semi-final against Chelsea on Tuesday. A solid display at the back will surely be vital to withstand the attacking prowess of the premier league leaders.