Liverpool v Aston Villa: Martin O'Neill pinpoints reason for defeat
Mar 23 2009 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail
VILLA manager Martin O’Neill admitted his team contributed to their own downfall with some desperate defending against Rafa Benitez’s title hopefuls at Anfield.
O’Neill felt Villa’s backline gave a helping hand to the in-form Reds, who hardly needed it after putting eight goals past Real Madrid and Manchester United.
Villa were slow to react for Dirk Kuyt’s opener, while goals three and five came after Nigel Reo-Coker and Brad Friedel conceded penalties which Steven Gerrard converted.
They were also at fault for Albert Riera’s strike to make it 2-0 after failing to deal with a long ball and the wall broke to allow Gerrard to score the fourth from a free-kick.
“We were well beaten,” said O’Neill.
“Liverpool played exceptionally well and we certainly contributed to our own downfall with some of the goals that we conceded in the game.
