Aston Villa vs Liverpool

1. 93'

   Villa were far from terrible today, but without confidence they never really threatened on more than two or three occasions. O'Leary must try to boost his side somehow or he could be facing a tough season.

2. 93'

   A Gerrard penalty and a shot from Alonso means that Liverpool have finally won a weekend match following a European fixture earlier in the week.

3. 93'

   And that's the final whistle. Liverpool steal the points.

4. 91'

   Barry battles hard not to concede a corner under pressure from Crouch

5. 90'

   'We are the Champions, Champions of Europe' brag the Liverpool fans, but they looked well short of class for much of the match. Still, the win is all-but secured now, despite a lacklustre 70-minute spell.

6. 89'

   'You'll never walk alone' rings out as the Villa fans head for the exits. Three minutes of added time to be played.

7. 88'

   Weak keeping from Sorensen. He failed to stop a shot from outside the box from Alonso, despite being in position to stop the shot; poor.

8. 88'

   And Alonso doubles the score - 2-0 Liverpool!

9. 87'

   Time running out for Villa to get a goal back and frustratingly for David O'Leary, it's all Liverpool.

10. 86'

    Barry cuts across Crouch to cut out a through ball from Gerrard - the Liverpool fans growl that a freekick was not given, but the challenge by the makeshift Villa left-back was a fair one.

11. 85'

    Ridgwell will no doubt feel hard done by on the penatly decision, but a Liverpool goal is probably a fair reflection of the game.

12. 84'

    Gerrard scores! He sent the Villa keeper the wrong way slotting his shot low to the right; great pen.

13. 83'

    Zenden fired in a cross from the left wing and Ridgewell, grappled with then collapsed on top of Crouch in the area. Gerrard to take the spot kick...

14. 83'

    Penalty to Liverpool!

15. 83'

    Nice footwork from Crouch and he gets the ball out wide.

16. 82'

    Another change. Villa bring on Lee Hendrie to a warm roar of approval, off goes Bakke who has played quite well today.

17. 81'

    Some scrappy tussling in the midfield ends with Kewell handling.

18. 80'

    Ten minutes to go: Come on, give us a goal, please.

19. 79'

    Excellent covering work from Carragher to cut out a chance for Villa.

20. 78'

    Kewell loses out to some hussling defensive work; but in fairness perhaps he needs a second or two more to get into the game's tempo.

21. 77'

    Kewell and Crouch seem to be the Liverpool strikers with Gerrard in an advanced position ahead of the midfield. Will this attack work?

22. 76'

    The stadium announcer tells us that 42,000 people are inside Villa Park today. For the main part they've kept pretty quiet as the game has failed to deliver, but the game has gone up a few notches in the last 10 minutes, maybe we'll get a goal yet!

23. 75'

    Another change; this time Cisse is the man to give way to lukewarm applause. On in his place, to even weaker applause in Harry Kewell.

24. 73'

    Another decent save from Sorensen, this time former Villa striker Crouch directs a weak header on goal as he tires to break his duck for the season.

25. 72'

    As both side press forward the game is becoming stretched and providing the other with space to exploit.

Leaders

AVLLIV

Total Shots

Gavin McCann

2

Xabi Alonso

3

Saves

Thomas Sorensen

7

Pepe Reina

4