Liverpool came back after a goal down at Villa Park to beat Aston Villa 2-1 after a stunning performance and 98th Premier League goal from Steven Gerrard.
Second half goals from Henderson and Gerrard gave the Reds three important points as they hope to finish the season strongly and out-do local rivals Everton for a spot in Europe. Christian Benteke opened the scoring for Villa in the 31st minute. Abgonlahor provided the assist after a stunning long pass from Ashley Westwood and the Belgian striker did well to drill the ball low into the corner of the net.
Aston Villa were the better team before and after the goal and could have easily gone two up had it not been for some fantastic goalkeeping from Pepe Reina. Liverpool were not the only ones who were nervy at the back and Guzan had to step in and deny Gerrard and Suarez certain goals before the end of the first half.
It was thanks to the Villa keeper that the home side went into the break with 1-0 lead and a clearly frustrated Liverpool attack.
The half time stats tweeted by the official EPL Index Twitter account shows that Villa were clinical with their attempts on goal, 60% of their shots were on target and they punished Liverpool’s poor defending. Liverpool had fifteen shots and only got 4 on target.
However, it was Liverpool that came back into the second half with a clear motive and it only took two minutes for the game to be level. Coutinho provides the ball for Henderson who lifts it over Guzan to put Liverpool back on track and give the second half quite the start.
Liverpool continued to press on and it wasn’t long before they completed the comeback. Captain Steven Gerrard was there to tuck in a penalty on the hour after Baker dives in on Suarez in the box with a clear two-footed tackle.
Gerrard proved to be the match hero after an all-round command of the midfield and was there to provide a stunning save from the goal line after a Benteke header. Villa came back on the attack moments after Gerrard’s penalty and would have equalised had it not been for the Liverpool captain.
Gerrard’s goal proved to be the winner, and Liverpool go home with three points from Villa Park that see’s them stay close in on 6th place Everton who have a game in hand.
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