Aston Villa FC 0-6 Liverpool FC – Villains Hit For Six on Valentines Day
Liverpool came away from Villa park worthy winners this afternoon after a convincing 0-6 thrashing of Aston Villa. Goals from six different visiting players provided the win, leaving the West Midland strugglers firmly rooted to the foot of the Premiership table and seven points adrift from 19th place.
Jürgen Klopp was able to restore Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho to the starting line up in place of Lucas Leiva and Adam Lallana who have minor hamstring and calf injuries respectively. I think it’s fair to say though, that the pair probably wouldn’t have made a start given the return of arguably Liverpool’s two best players. A midfield trio of Emre Can, Jordan Henderson and Emre Can started having been rested for the FA Cup defeat to West Ham during the week.
Same goes for the defence, where Nathaniel Clyne, Kolo Touré, Mamadou Sakho and Alberto Moreno ahead of Simon Mignolet in goal, all returning to take their regular places. This is the first time since taking over, that Klopp has been able to name Sturridge, Coutinho and Roberto Firmino in the starting line up. And on this evidence, you’d forgive him for wondering what could have been, had the trio been at his disposal. The 48 year-old, certainly knows what it is now.
The game was barely 16 minutes old when, who else but, Sturridge opened the scoring – out-jumping the two bewildered Villa central defenders to convert who else’s but Coutinho’s pinpoint centre from the Liverpool left. The Reds extended their lead eight minutes later when Milner’s free kick drifted into the goal past the static home defence and a helpless Mark Bunn. As the whistle blew for half time, one suspected this would not be a good day for the hosts.
The second half started much the same as the first and at this point, Villa had not so much as mustered a shot on target. Liverpool, continued to press forward. Virtually unchallenged apart from the odd rash challenge from their hosts. In the 58th minute, Can put the game – even for this often lackadaisical Liverpool side – beyond reach as he blasted home from 25 yards. 0-3 and certainly game over. There was perhaps, a five minute period after that, when the home side seemingly thought about making a game of it. Forcing Clyne to clear a goal-bound effort away.
Sturridge was substituted in the 62nd minute. Klopp not wanting to risk his best china any further, replaced him with the rough earthenware that is Divock Origi. The young Belgian scored within seconds with what must have been his first touch of the game. Ghosting past the resigned Villa central defenders to slot home and make it 0-4. Clyne made it five three minutes later when he poked the ball past Bunn after his second attempt after connecting to Firmino’s pass.
This signalled an exodus of the home fans. It wasn’t over ticket prices, either. More in sheer dismay, disgust and disbelief at the ease with which their team was being dismantled my a strong Liverpool team. It had indeed, become a rout. With the clock confirming 70 minutes of agony gone for the remaining Villa fans, Touré nodded in what seemed to be a practice header for him, so bad was the defence – if it could be called that – scattered around him. 0-6. Game, set and frankly mis-match.
After the game, Klopp noted that he could “relax for the last 20 minutes of the game…”. This must have been a first as Liverpool boss. “A day for the soul” he went on to say. And that’s about right. A day to put the wretched, recent results behind him and look forward. There won’t be many results like this but what it does demonstrate, is how good a side this could be with all players fit.
Still, let’s not kid ourselves. Aston Villa are propping up the rest of the league for a reason, and the reason is that they are simply a very, very poor side. I actually felt sorry for their fans. At least Liverpool’s supporters were winning when they left last week after 77 minutes. For the Villans, they were 0-6 down and without a hope in hell of getting anything from the game. Even against a defence that’s as ropey as their visitors’.
Liverpool now have two Europe League matches and the Capital One Cup final to look forward to before the next league match against Manchester City on the 2nd March. That’s just three games in 17 days. Makes a change for Klopp’s side and I’m personally glad they’re out of the FA Cup. It just means they can focus on the Europa League, and the Final. Not to mention of course, the mere three points that separates them and fifth place, right now.
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