Liverpool - Aston Villa

At the start of another title pursuit, the Reds got a hard punch in north London against Tottenhem (1-2). The fact is Liverpool put a decent display and was harmed for a penalty kick, but it was obvious they simply need some quality in defense. Also, departure Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid didn’t bring anything good. Rafa Benitez as a first help brought Greece international Sotirios Kyrgiakos (£2 million from AEK Athens), but real shock came when gentlemen Hicks and Gillett announced there’re no money for other signings. So, last line is far from Chelsea’s or Man.Utd.’s for example and Rafa will try to overcome it with strong attacking force that the team possess. But the problem is, it can works against teams who are focused on defending against Liverpool (Stoke, second round, 4-0 at Anfield), but against equal opponents it can bring some shocks during the season. For tonight’s game defense will be even weaker, as Daniel Agger and Fabio Aurelio are injured, while Martin Skrtel is in doubt. Liverpool have not lost at home in the league for 31 games.

Villa started the season with the Champions League like a main target (once again). But, as Liverpool, faced the problems on the first step. Wigan took all three points from Villa Park (0-2) and game was marked by big errors in Villa’s defense. In European trip during the mid-week, club noticed another defeat, 0-1 against Rapid on the road. Boss Martin O'Neill has a difficult task to balance between high ambitions and limited resources. Carlos Cuellar and Curtis Davies are currently the only center-backs in squad, midfield lost the skipper Gareth Barry (went to Man.City) and O’Neill is desperately looking for new signings. As Benitez, he will also try to overcome defensive problems with the attacking attitude. Hm…ok. For tonight’s encounter, Aston Villa are monitoring the fitness of Curtis Davies (one of two cb) who injured his shoulder in the defeat by Rapid Vienna, while another defender Luke Young has been given compassionate leave after the death of his half-brother. Also, Anfield is not a place where Villa like to be, as they didn’t win in last seven games (five defeats and two draws), and last four meetings ended with four goals, or more.

Both sides have huge problems in defense lines, but have to go on all three points. For Villa another defeat would be a second in two games, while in Liverpool nobody wants even to think about second failure in three rounds. As both can’t rely on defense, will try to score once more than opponent. Betfair offer 1.90, Pinnacle 1.83. Over.

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Liverpool 5-0 Aston Villa

Rafa Benitez sat back and enjoyed the view as his side blitzed Aston Villa to pile the pressure on Manchester United. 
Goals from Dirk Kuyt and Albert Riera, followed by a Steven Gerrard spot-kick, left Liverpool home and dry before the interval. 
But Gerrard quickly added to the tally in the second period as United's lead at the top of the league was cut to just a point. 
And the England ace completed his hat-trick with a second penalty of the afternoon after Brad Friedel was red-carded for bringing down Fernando Torres. 
Liverpool made the perfect start when Kuyt smashed them ahead after just eight minutes. 
Gerrard's free-kick was headed against the bar by Xabi Alonso but the Dutchman was on hand to drill home the rebound. 
Villa tried to hit back immediately with a swift break. Ashley Young fired in a decent cross but the ball flew off the arriving Gareth Barry's knee and away to safety. 
Young continued to cause Liverpool problems without finding a telling delivery for strike duo John Carew and Emile Heskey. 
And it was the hosts who came closest to scoring again in the 16th minute when Gerrard narrowly missed at the far post after latching on to a deflected cross. 
Villa nearly grabbed an equaliser five minutes later and again it was Young who created the opportunity. 
The England international's delivery was met by Carew but the striker's clever left-footed flick was turned away by Pepe Reina. 
Liverpool cleared their lines from the resulting corner and Gerrard became the first player to go in the ref's notebook just seconds later for a lunge at Curtis Davies. 
The physical presence of Villa's front two became a more dominant factor as the half wore on. 
Nigel Reo-Coker swung a long ball into the box with 25 minutes on the clock and Reina had to be at his best to turn away Carew's goalbound header. 
The game continued to swing from end to end before Reina decided to take the direct approach and create Liverpool's second of the afternoon. 
He launched a long kick into the Villa box and Riera raced through to smash the ball past Friedel 12 minutes before the break. 
The visitors should have fallen further behind when Friedel's stray pass went straight to the feet of Alvaro Arbeloa. 
But the defender tried to cut the ball back to Torres instead of shooting and the danger was quickly cleared. 
Villa, however, contributed to their own downfall once again in the 39th minute when Reo-Coker sent Riera crashing in the box. 
Gerrard stepped up to net the resulting spot-kick, lifting the roof at Anfield in the process. 
With nothing to lose in the second half, Villa came out looking to salvage some pride. 
But the red juggernaut quickly battered them into submission with Gerrard's expertly placed free-kick making it 4-0 with 50 minutes played. 
Liverpool continued to pour forward after the goal and Alonso wasted a golden chance when he found himself in acres of space. 
The unmarked Spaniard picked up Kuyt's pass in the box but could only drag his shot disappointingly wide. 
Villa's day went from bad to worse when Friedel sent Torres crashing. 
The American keeper did his best to get out of the striker's way but could have no complaint when the referee pointed to the spot. 
And with the visitors down to 10 men, Gerrard clamly sent substitute stopper Brad Guzan the wrong way to net his third goal.
www.thesun.co.uk

Liverpool-Aston Villa

Home side goes into this game after impressive derby win on Trafford and they're clear favorites against Villa. Today's win will push them on second place with just one point behind Man.Utd.. The fact that calls on caution is their very unpredictable results this season. When everybody expected from Reds to go for title, they started with loosing points. And after that they demolished two maybe biggest European clubs, scoring four both times! Rafa has finally signed the new contract and that looks releasing for himself, but also for players and fans. The big thing is Gerrard and Torres are fully fit. Bad news are Arbeloa, Agger, Degen and Xabi Alonso are all out and Benayoun is in doubt. But same players crushed United.

The most of the season, Villa played excellent. But current run of results threaten to crush all effort. It looks like players can not handle the pressure of great expectations. Shocking defeat against Tottenham (1:2 at home) was a big hit for the club. The big gap between them and Arsenal are vanished. Still isn't too late for Champions League, but they need to wake up immediately (hmm, today?). Against Spurs, fans protested against Agbonlahor's recent performances and O’Neill will probably leave him on the bench. Heskey and Carew are expected in attack. Many problems in defence. Cuellar, Laursen, Sidwell and Bouma are all out.

Both sides have big motives for win, tittle and Champions League. Odd for home win is to low for consideration. Maybe it is wiser to sit back, enjoy in footie and give up from betting, but I really expect open game from the first whistle. Heskey and Carew can score at least once, at the same time wounded defence will fight with Torres and the lads. So, my conclusion (and bet) is over, with very good odd (2.05 at 888.com).