Liverpool turn it around to add to Aston Villa woe

Premier League
Sunday 31 March 2013 - 1:30 pm
Villa Park
Aston Villa1
2Liverpool
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46'Henderson ⚽️
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Aston Villa 1-2 Liverpool

Liverpool got revenge for a defeat at Anfield earlier this season, with a second half comeback against relegation threatened Aston Villa.

Benteke was once again Liverpool's nemesis in a first half which saw the reds trail - before Henderson and Gerrard added the second half goals to keep Liverpool in touch with 6th placed Everton.

Jordan Henderson scores against Aston Villa

» Rodgers and Gerrard: Post Match Reaction
» VIDEO: Watch the goals

Daniel Sturridge was absent from the starting Liverpool line-up.  With Joe Allen now out for the season, Jordan Henderson was once again included in the reds line up - with Jamie Carragher continuing to receive the nod ahead of Martin Skrtel.

Aston Villa were by far the brighter side in the first half.

Almost from the kick off they had a chance to score - Benteke and Agbonlahor both prowling in the box but unable to connect with Bennett's delightful pass.

Agbonlahor, criticised for his strike rate, had another chance but made it too easy for Pepe Reina to deal with.

The reds were struggling with Villa's direct nature - an obvious weakness that Paul Lambert had identified.

On the half hour their strategy paid off, when Benteke smashed a thunderbolt in to the net - nothing Pepe could do about it.

Liverpool improved slightly in the final moments of the first half, but Luis Suarez often cut a lonely figure as the reds front line.  Stewart Downing, booed throughout by the home fans, was clearly affected as he failed to make any impact.

Straight from the start of the second half the reds were on the front foot and a peach of a pass from Coutinho found the advancing Jordan Henderson who finished with surgical precision to fire an ecstatic equaliser.

Moments later and Coutinho was released by Suarez into a one-on-one with the Villa keeper - his shot roled agonisingly wide.  Glen Johnson then saw a speculative attempt rebound off the post.

In the 60th minute Suarez was hacked down by Baker - one of the most blatant penalties you will see this season.

Gerrard stepped up and just beat Guzan to give the reds a 2-1 lead.

Pepe Reina was called into action late on - tipping over a dipping shot - and Steven Gerrard headed off the line as Villa searched for an equaliser.

Late on Henderson was lucky to escape with his leg unbroken after a nasty challenge from Westwood that only warranted a yellow card according to the referee.

Liverpool's three points means the club remain in 7th with 7 games remaining.  The reds return to Anfield next weekend for the visit of West Ham.

One comment on
Liverpool turn it around to add to Aston Villa woe

  1. Well taken goal by Henderson. Either the lad has massively improved or our expectations are slipping. Hope it’s the former.

    Turning into another good buy by Dalglish. Maybe owners should start giving managers some time for their players to bed in.

    Although look at Coutinho – hitting the ground running that lad.

    One question: Why was Sturridge on the bench? Would have done a much better job than a poor Stewart Downing – Suarez was isolated for most of the first half. Playing one up front against Villa was slightly negative.

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