Liverpool tested the water early on and most notably Dietmar Hamman, as he hit a pile driver which just stroked past Thomas Sorensen’s right hand post. Australian Harry Kewell found himself with a chance shortly after which he blazed over the bar.

Michael Owen was back in the starting line-up for Liverpool following a lay-off from injury. His first half miss must have left many people wondering why he was back in the team at all. The England International had the goal at his mercy (apart from Dublin who was static in the centre) and he managed to hit the bar from no less than 4 yards.

Villa attempted a bit of pressure of their own, however neither Mellberg nor the in-form Angel could get on the end of a dangerous Gareth Barry cross.

Vassell nearly added another to his impressive start to the year after dispossessing Igor Biscan in the Liverpool box. The young Englishman fired a high shot which looked to be going into the top right hand corner; however debutant Paul Jones was equal to it in the Liverpool goal. The ‘keeper is currently on loan from Southampton as Jerzy Dudek and Chris Kirkland are both currently carrying injuries.

Hamman had another dig at the Villa goal and this time his shot was on target, although Thomas Sorensen was up to it in and the Dane kept the scores at 0-0.

Liverpool had the lead shortly after however, when Heskey flicked on a Kewell cross and the ball hit the body of Mark Delaney who was grappling with Danny Murphy. This completely defied Sorensen and the ball trickled in to the Villa net to give Liverpool the lead.

An injury to Gavin McCann meant Thomas Hitzlsperger had to be introduced with 5 minutes to go until half-time. The tough tackling midfielder will be sorely missed if he is out for a lengthy time.

Kewell once again fired high and wide, as did Peter Whittingham for Villa as both sides looked to add to the scoring in the game.

HALFTIME – Liverpool 1 Villa 0

Darius Vassell had picked up an injury during the first 45 and was replaced by Stefan Moore for the second period.

Thomas Sorensen performed heroics in the Villa goal to deny Owen, who was not having one of his most productive days in a Liverpool shirt.

Hitzlsperger hit a trademark long shot which went wide and Deitmar Hamman had yet another long range effort, this time from a free kick which subsequently was well over the bar. Owen was once again denied by the hard working Villa captain Olof Mellberg who had a good day against the England number 10.

Hamman continued to shoot from distance and he also continued not to score as this time he found his shot sail in to the arms of Sorensen.

Villa really fought hard towards the end and were very unlucky not to get a point out of the game as they showed that they would not just lie down. Dion Dublin moved up front to add power and it so nearly paid off for the Claret and Blue boys.

Stefan Moore had a chance late on, although his shot went disappointingly well wide. Villa had battled hard but nevertheless they were very unlucky and ended up empty handed once again on their travels.

FULLTIME – Liverpool 1 Villa 0

TEAMS

Liverpool Jones, Hyypia, Henchoz, Riise, Kewell, Murphy, Hamman, Biscan, Heskey, Diouf (Cheyrou), Owen (Sinama-Pongolle). Subs Not Used: Le Tallec, Traore, Luzi(GK)

Aston Villa Sorensen, Delaney, Mellberg, Dublin, Samuel, Hendrie (Johnsen), G.McCann (Hitzlsperger), Whittingham, Barry, Angel, Vassell (S.Moore). Subs Not Used: De La Cruz, Postma (GK).

Attendance: 43,771

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