Liverpool – Aston Villa

1. Join us at 2000 GMT to see if Liverpool can beat Aston Villa at Anfield. It's Houllier's return!

2. <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2010/1206/fernandotorreswoe20101130_275x155.jpg"><br>They will have to do it without Torres.

3. Bit of team news: Torres' wife is giving birth, so he's not around, and Gerrard is out too. Babel and Lucas are given the chance to shine.

4. Gerard Houllier brings Agbonlahor back into the forward line and Jonathan Hogg is also given a chance in midfield.

5. Villa defender Stephen Warnock plays against the side that once didn't think he would be good enough.

6. No place for Bobby Pires this time, he remains on the bench.

7. Villa really, really need a win. They are just two points off the relegation zone even teams with two more points than them are sacking their managers.

8. Chris Hughton by the way, <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=849732&sec=england&cc=5739" target="_blank">in case you were in a cave</a> this afternoon.

9. How will Liverpool manage without their magnificent three? No Torres, Gerrard or Carragher... the omens are not good when those three don't play.

10. "Hopefully we won't miss them on the pitch and we can show what we can do," said Fabio Aurelio. We've heard that kind of talk before though.

11. One to watch for Villa? Stewart Downing. He's been in decent form and was unlucky to miss out on the last England squad.

12. Babel will be in the spotlight tonight. It looks like a 4-4-2 for the Reds, Ngog and the Dutchman up front.

13. Albrighton back for Villa, and that means they will set up in a 4-5-1. Him and Downing out on the wings, Ireland in the hole behind Agbonlahor.

14. Teams are coming out, and we're almost ready for kick-off.

15. If you're a fan of Italian football, own a TV and live in the UK, pop over to ESPN for Napoli against Palermo. Hamsik v Pastore.

16. But of course, you're welcome here as well, as Liverpool take on Villa. A few seconds and then we're off...

17. 1'

    <b>KICK-OFF</b>. Liverpool get us underway.

18. 1'

    Agbonlahor's first move is a run down the left and a push in the back of Sotirios Kyrgiakos.

19. 2'

    Liverpool knocking the ball around nicely. But not very incisive. Babel leaps and heads back, but Villa gain possession again.

20. 3'

    Good turn from Ngog and he's brought down by Dunne. A chance to lift it into the box.

21. 3'

    Meireles in, and the ball drops inside the box. It falls to Kuyt who hits a shot as the ball comes out. Just wide.

22. 4'

    Villa being pressed back and Liverpool are on the offensive. Another foul and Warnock is given a talking to.

23. 5'

    Great flick on the edge of the box, but Ireland eventually gets it clear. Liverpool look dangerous.

24. 5'

    Ngog showing some good skills, he's looked sharp. Who needs Torres?

25. 6'

    Kuyt lifts the ball through to Babel, but Collins steps up and he's caught offside.

26. 7'

    Villa are all over the place at the back. Closed down in defence, they are looking hurried and Liverpool are swarming all over them.

27. 8'

    What a ball from Downing. A killer cross and Konchesky does very well to get it away from Albrighton at the far post.

28. 8'

    Villa put some passes together, but Konchesky hammers into Ireland. Downing wastes the free-kick though.

29. 10'

    Reina gives the ball to Albrighton, but he's a long way out and Konchesky has the pace to get back and deal with the situation.

30. 10'

    A lot of pressure coming down the Villa right at the moment. Agbonlahor needs to get more into the game though, he's looked lonely.

31. 11'

    Villa have steadied the ship after a nervy opening few minutes. It's fairly even now.

32. 12'

    Ngog finding some space, but Hogg is doing well to cover the ground and get his foot on the ball.

33. 13'

    It looked like it might be a decent game in the opening exchanges, neither keeper has had to make a save yet though.

34. 14'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> And they still haven't! Ngog gets his head on the ball and it's in!

35. 14'

    Skrtel wins the header from the corner to get the ball back into the area, Ngog pounces and directs it past Friedel.

36. 16'

    On the balance of things, it's a deserved lead. But it was against the run of play as Villa had looked more dangerous in recent minutes.

37. 16'

    They now have to rebuild. A defeat is very damaging to their hopes.

38. 16'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Oh, but it's even harder now. Babel races onto a ball over the top and tucks it home. 2-0.

39. 16'

    Fantastic finish, a great ball from Lucas and Babel beat the offside trap to make it two.

40. 17'

    A long, long way back for Villa now.

41. 17'

    No Torres or Gerrard, but Ngog and Babel have netted within three minutes of each other.

42. 18'

    Liverpool relaxing now. Just keeping control of the ball. They don't need to chase the game.

43. 19'

    Johnson has to get back to nick the ball away from Downing as he was breaking down the left.

44. 20'

    Friedel, a former Liverpool goalkeeper of course, has only had two things to do: to pick the ball out of the net.

45. 21'

    Ngog tries a turn on the edge of the box, but is muscled out. Villa now attack, with Albrighton, but Konchesky is there to block his cross.

46. 23'

    Very tidy play by the Reds, do my eyes deceive me or is Lucas looking like a real player?

47. 23'

    Wonderful flick around his man by Ngog, but Kuyt just can't gather to race through on goal.

48. 25'

    Clark hammers forward, but they dwell on the ball and lose it. The story of the half so far for them.

49. 26'

    Kyrgiakos gets free at the far post and heads over. That was a really good chance, he wasn't far out and got the jump on his man.

50. 27'

    Agbonlahor gets away, but clips Skrtel's heels. It's a foul, otherwise he was away.

51. 27'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2010/1206/davidngoggoal20101130_275x155.jpg"><br>Ngog heads home from close range.

52. 28'

    Villa really have offered very little up front. A change in formation is needed if they want to get back into the game.

53. 29'

    <b>BREAKING NEWS:</b> Martin Jol is going to Newcastle by the looks of things, as he has resigned from Ajax.

54. 30'

    Will Villa be looking for a new manager? They might if they don't get a win soon, even if Gerard is a relatively new appointment.

55. 32'

    Kuyt bursting past Dunne and Warnock. Clark eventually gets the tackle in to stop him as he ploughed into the box.

56. 33'

    Liverpool being pressed, but again Villa look pretty toothless. The Reds are playing some nice one-touch stuff to get themselves out of trouble.

57. 35'

    Downing goes down holding his ankle, but he's back up. They need him fighting fit.

58. 36'

    Ngog down the left, cuts inside, but that was a good tackle coming in from Clark. Wave after wave of red attacks now...

59. 37'

    Collins slips and Babel tries to guide the ball home. It slips wide though.

60. 37'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Clark goes in studs up and he's booked.

61. 39'

    Johnson misunderstands Kuyt's run and the ball flies out of play. Liverpool look pretty comfortable and they have not really been tested thus far.

62. 40'

    Agbonlahor looks out of it, he's not bothering to chase down the Liverpool defence, so they have all the time in the world to clear.

63. 42'

    It's slowed right down to walking pace now. Half-time can't come soon enough.

64. 43'

    Downing is screaming for the ball, but Villa don't see him. He was free on his wing and is furious.

65. 45'

    One added minute, and Villa look happy for the whistle to blow.

66. 45'

    As, indeed, do Liverpool.

67. 45'

    <B>HT</B>. The replacements have fired, Ngog and Babel. Great work from the Reds, much more to do for Villa.

68. 45'

    <b>KICK-OFF</b>. A change is needed by Villa.

69. 46'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> And that's what they get. Clark off, Nathan Delfouneso on.

70. 47'

    Liverpool haven't netted in the second half in five games, so that's a piece of good news for Villa. Bad news is, they are two down.

71. 47'

    Babel uses his pace to get past Dunne. Collins hacks clear as the cross floats in.

72. 48'

    Agbonlahor does very well to speed past Skrtel and get his cross in, but there's no-one there. Johnson controls in his own box and clears with ease.

73. 50'

    Ngog twisting and turning, gets the ball and almost breaks through, but Dunne stands firm. A third goal would certainly kill this one off.

74. 51'

    Reina to the rescue. A clear opening for Villa as Downing gets away and squares for Agbonlahor. The keeper spreads himself and blocks.

75. 52'

    Good play from Reina. Made himself big and got his foot on the ball as the striker tried to poke it home from the six-yard box.

76. 54'

    He needs one more clean sheet to get his 100th in the Premier League. Saves like that will help.

77. 55'

    Downing's ball across is plucked out of the air and Liverpool launch the counter attack...

78. 56'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Ngog is clear down the left and he cuts it back to Maxi who is running in to stab into the top corner. 3-0!

79. 56'

    A great break from the Reds and surely, that is game over! Embarrassing for Villa.

80. 56'

    Villa try to get forward and it's Downing again. His ball is cleared again by the commanding Skrtel.

81. 58'

    Warnock covers well to get across and stop Babel from finding space. Villa are pushing on, and there are spaces all over the place now.

82. 59'

    Hogg robs his man and flies down the right. He cuts it back to the back of the box and Downing comes onto it. He hits it wide.

83. 61'

    Possession being swapped around as neither side can keep a hold of the ball. Villa are probing, but can't break through.

84. 63'

    A decent cross from Hogg, but noone is there again. Villa have enjoyed more possession, but they have not made it count.

85. 64'

    Another Downing cross finds Reina's palms. Reckon he thinks Carew is playing... he's not.

86. 65'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Oh wait, he is. Carew comes on for Agbonlahor and Pires comes on for Albrighton.

87. 66'

    An attacking move, but what else is there for Villa? They need a miracle.

88. 68'

    Johnson powers forward for Liverpool. He cuts inside, then outside, then hammers a shot against Friedel, who did well to get in the way of it.

89. 69'

    Babel caught offside and brings the ball down with his arm anyway.

90. 71'

    Villa look more dangerous with Carew on the pitch and Pires playing in behind. But Liverpool are standing firm.

91. 72'

    Johnson through again, he has so much space. He drills the ball over the bar when he really should have done a lot better.

92. 73'

    Kuyt is still chasing down the ball all over the place. Every team needs someone like him, so full of energy.

93. 74'

    Kyrgiakos gets his head on a corner, but Hogg is there on the line to head clear.

94. 75'

    The ball comes back in and Skrtel hits it wide! Central defenders really want to get on the scoresheet tonight.

95. 75'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Aurelio on for Maxi.

96. 78'

    Pires and Carew combine as the big man goes in between two defenders, falls down, but nothing is given.

97. 79'

    Babel still working hard at the other end of the pitch, but can't quite break through.

98. 79'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Kuyt off, Joe Cole comes on.

99. 80'

    Johnson in space after a corner, but he drags his shot to the near post and it is blocked by Hogg.

100. 82'

     Dunne hammers the ball forward, but Villa don't look likely to score and, more worryingly, they don't look that bothered about it either.

101. 82'

     Cole deliver a cross, but it's of his usual standard and rolls along the floor.

102. 83'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Kyrgiakos off, Kelly comes on. Looks like cramp for the Greek.

103. 84'

     Meireles has a go... but it's safely gathered by Friedel. He must be glad to get the ball in his hands for once.

104. 86'

     The game is petering out and any hopes of a last-gasp Villa revival are well and truly dead.

105. 87'

     Ireland's cross is caught by Reina and the Spanish keeper must thank Villa's midfielders for giving him catching practice all evening long.

106. 88'

     Hogg finds Downing and he smashes a shot, which is blocked.

107. 88'

     Liverpool break and Johnson and Ngog link up well. A Johnson backheel finds Ngog, but he just overruns it under pressure and the chance fades.

108. 89'

     Pires upended by Lucas. A quick memory that he's back in the Premier League.

109. 90'

     You'll Never Walk Alone ringing out loudly now. It's been a good day for the Reds, but Villa are in real trouble.

110. 90'

     Two minutes added on.

111. 91'

     Lucas still looking for a way through. Handball shouts against Collins, but nothing given.

112. 91'

     Downing cuts inside, goes nowhere and unleashes a shot/cross that just flies over the bar. That should be it.

113. 92'

     <B>FULL-TIME. LIVERPOOL 3-0 ASTON VILLA.</B> Liverpool have deserved their win. Villa were very poor and the Reds's supporting cast played their part to perfection. Gerard Houllier will certainly not have enjoyed his trip back to Anfield.

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