Aston Villa 0-2 Liverpool: Lambert Seals Victory as Villa Wonder What Might Have Been
Liverpool are up to 7th place in the Premier League table after a 2-0 win over Aston Villa to keep up the Reds’ excellent record at Villa Park.
Goals in either half from Fabio Borini and Rickie Lambert wrapped up an important win for Brendan Rodgers’ team, but Villa boss Paul Lambert will be left ruing a number of missed opportunities to get back into the game at 1-0.
The corresponding fixture was won by Villa when the sides met at Anfield back in September and perhaps buoyed by that memory the home side started the brighter of the two. Lambert’s team edged possession in the opening minutes and even had a sight of goal when Nathan Baker headed over.
It wasn’t too long before Liverpool managed to find a rhythm of their own though, probing with a few hopeful through balls to try and release the likes of Raheem Sterling and Fabio Borini.
After 20 minutes, Rodgers’ men had the ball in the net – a low drive from Alberto Moreno, only for it to be chalked off by a late, and correct, offside flag. The pressure was building and moments later Brad Guzan had to be alert to pounce on another dangerous pass forward.
Midway through the half, the deadlock was broken by Liverpool for real. Some neat interplay wide on the right gave Jordan Henderson the space to float a ball into the penalty area for Borini to convert from close range with an accomplished finish.
The goal seemed to spark Villa into life again, but despite some good midfield possession a number of attacks were too easily snuffed out, before any real danger became apparent.
However, at the other end the pace of Liverpool’s front three remained a threat as the half wore on and Sterling perhaps should have done better when he ran clear with a chance to lift the ball over an onrushing Guzan.
In the final moments before the interval Villa threatened with a long range pot-shot from Carlos Sanchez and then with Tom Cleverley, but went in at half-time trailing.
Attacking the Holte End in the second half, Villa began brightly with a succession of early corners. They still couldn’t make any pressure count though and Guzan had to be at best to keep Liverpool from doubling their advantage with a fingertip save.
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