Liverpool 5 Aston Villa 0: Bill Howell's big match verdict

Mar 23 2009 by Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

Reo-Coker though fouled Reina for the third which Gerrard despatched from the penalty spot, sending Friedel the wrong way.

It was 4-0 after half-time with Carlos Cuellar fouling Kuyt on the edge of the box.

Gerrard passed the set-piece quite brilliantly into the net.

Xavi Alonso should have made it five, then five it was. Controversially so.

Torres was sent straight through the middle but appeared to push the ball too far only for his pace to see him touch the ball around Friedel who appeared to do little wrong.

Gerrard sent substitute Brad Guzan the wrong way.

With Liverpool lining up to take pot-shots at the ten men Lucas was a whisker away and Javier Mascherano forced a save from Guzan.

At the other end it was easy to forget that for a large period in that first half Villa were playing decent football and created a couple of opportunities.

James Milner’s shot deflected wide.

Barry volleyed over from a rare Ashley Young cross, then twice Carew forced Reina into saves with a left-foot flick and a really fine header.

But this match will be filed in the drawer marked: ‘ones to forget’.