Gerrard brilliant as five-star Liverpool maul Aston Villa

Nuestech

Editor

posted on 15 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

56
views

Captain Steven Gerrard was at it again, netting a hat-trick.

New Delhi: Captain Fantastic was at it again, netting a hat-trick and driving a rampant Liverpool to victory over an imploding Aston Villa and moving to within one point of Manchester United. The Reds scored three in the first half and showed no remorse as they hammered a stake into the heart of Martin O'Neil's Champions League hopes.

Fresh on the back of signing his new five year contract Rafael Benitez welcomed Martin O'Neil's Aston Villa to Anfield hoping to defend the only remaining undefeated home record in the Premier League. With Manchester United slipping up against Fulham on Saturday it was a vital opportunity to close the gap on the league leaders. Aston Villa for their part were hoping to keep in touch with a resurgent Arsenal.

Liverpool made the early pressing with Martin Skrtel glancing a header goal wards from a Steven Gerrard corner but the Slovakian directed his effort straight at former Liverpool man Brad Friedel, who was making a record 182nd consecutive Premier League appearance.

In the third minute Liverpool broke on the Villains with Fernando Torres combining well with Gerrard to release the England international into space behind the last defender. Gerrard entered the box on the right and tried to cut the ball back across the defender but his touch was too heavy and Friedel collected comfortably.

Albert Riera did well to chase down a long ball on the left flank and was fouled by Nigel Reo-Coker. Gerrard rifled an inswinging free-kick into the box, it was flicked on by Xabi Alonso and the ball rocketed off the cross-bar with Friedel spectating. The rebound fell straight to Dirk Kuyt who reacted well and smashed the ball through a crowd of bodies into the back of the net. One-nil to Liverpool after seven minutes.

It was an intense start to the game with Liverpool dominating the final third, they had a glorious chance to extend their lead after 15minutes. Riera attacked his full-back and whipped in a deflected cross, it found Gerrard alone at the back post and a player of his quality should have scored as he hit it on the volley with his right foot. His effort meandered wide with Friedel stranded in the middle of his goal, to be fair Gerrard was stretching and it was difficult chance.

Villa started to grow into the game and John Carew had a good effort in the 20th minute. Ashley Young picked the ball up on the right flank and quickly picked out Carew on the front post, the Norwegian forward flicked the ball goal wards with his right boot. Pepe Reina produced a smart save to deny the Villa front man, it came at him quickly.

Liverpool deal well with the pressure and broke forward in the 24th minute with Alvaro Arbeloa getting a lucky break against Luke Young. The Spanish full-back charging towards the touchline and cut the ball back to Torres in the middle but the former Athletico Madrid striker scuffed his shot and it trickled through to Friedel.

A nothing ball forward from Reo-Coker into the box saw Carew hold off Skrtel and power his header goal wards, the effort forced a brilliant save from Reina to the goalkeepers left.

Liverpool extended their lead, a long ball forward from Reina was allowed to bounce by the Villa backline and Riera raced beyond his marker Gareth Barry to meet the ball as it came into the box. Hitting it first time the Spaniard rifled the ball home via the cross-bar. Friedel didn't have a chance, two-nil to Liverpool.

The home side were rampant, Gerrard saw a strike from range fly just wide of the left-hand post then an error from Friedel saw the goalkeeper pass straight to Arbeloa in the penalty area, the full-back choked and tried to play it back to Torres who was covered by two men, wasting the opportunity.

It got worse for Aston Villa, Kuyt played a lovely cross-field ball for Riera who controlled expertly and entered the penalty area, he was brought down by Reo-Coker and it was a text book penalty and Martin Atkinson had no choice to point to the spot. Gerrard stepped up and there was only going to be one result, the Liverpool skipped smashed the ball to Friedel's right and into the back of the net. Three-nil to Liverpool and the game was over by the 40th minute.

The second half started where the first left off with more Liverpool pressure, Kuyt attacked the Villa defence and won a free-kick from Carlos Cuellar 20 yards out slightly to the left. Alonso rolled the ball to Gerrard who duly slotted the ball into the side netting at Freidel's left. Four-nil to Liverpool with 50minutes on the clock.

Aston Villa's nightmare continued as an Alonso pass tore open the Villa defence, Torres broke through the offside trap and faced down Friedel, the Spanish striker rounded the keeper and was chopped down. The referee had no option but to dismiss Friedel and award the penalty, bringing to an end Friedel's magnificent appearance record.

Gerrard stepped up again and, smashing the ball into the exactly same corner, extended Liverpool's lead to five without reply. It was a lead that was thoroughly deserved for the home sides dominance, Benitez's side were making an emphatic statement.

As impressive as Liverpool were going forward they also produced a solid defensive display in the second half, as in truth Aston Villa never looked like coming close to scoring a consolation they would have barely deserved.

Liverpool are now unbeaten in 15 Premier League matches against Aston Villa and move to one point behind Manchester United at the Premier League summit. Aston Villa, meanwhile, seem to be crumbling towards the end of their campaign. They face the Premier League champions and current league leaders next week.