The Soccer Blog: Matchday: Liverpool v. Aston Villa

Tuesday, 7 December 2010

Matchday: Liverpool v. Aston Villa

By: Ed | December 6th, 2010
kop2

Kickoff from Anfield at 20:00 GMT, 3:00 EST.

Ways to Watch:

Match shown live on Sky Sports 1 (HD) in the UK and ESPN2 (HD) in the US.

ESPN3.com is also showing the match for those with the service.

MyP2P.eu
Atdhe.net
ChannelSurfing.net

Liverpool:

Reina
Johnson Kyrgiakos Skrtel Konchesky
Kuyt Meireles Lucas Maxi
Babel Ngog

Bench: Jones, Kelly, Aurelio, Poulsen, Shelvey, Cole, Jovanovic

Big news here is that Ryan Babel takes the place of Fernando Torres in the starting eleven, as Torres’ wife has gone into labor. Great chance for Babel here—obviously not great to lose Torres, but Babel’s got to see additional minutes as an opportunity to build on the performance at Steaua midweek. The rest is as expected—interesting to see if it takes shape as a 4-2-2-2, as a few of you have mentioned, or if the presence of Babel shifts things a bit.

Aston Villa:

Friedel
Young Dunne Collins Warnock
Albrighton Clark Hogg Downing
Ireland
Agbonlahor

Bench: Guzan, Pires, Carew, Delfouneso, Cuellar, Lichaj, Herd

In the run-up:

The latest from Dion Fanning was making the rounds yesterday, and it’s about as pitch-perfect a read as you’ll find on the topic of Roy Hodgson. The full article can be found here at the Independent, but I’ve snagged a few of my favorite bits:

On Hodgson’s away record:

“Hodgson, as he repeatedly reminds people, may be one of the game’s most respected figures, but when he walks through the front door of a football club, he is also a walking, talking three points for the home side. All that is left is to choose the wine. They spend a lot of time talking abut wine.”

On the draw with United in the FA Cup:

“Hodgson last week described Liverpool’s draw in the FA Cup with United as ’sad.’ There are eight members of the team that won 4-1 at Old Trafford still in Liverpool’s squad. Hodgson will be able to pick on seven of them and the painful decline of Jamie Carragher means he will not miss the eighth.”

On the displeasure with Hodgson thus far:

“Yet Liverpool fans were pretty patient with Benitez and that was six months ago. It may not be the times that have changed just the credentials of the incumbent. Hodgson’s supporters still point to his record, highlighting in all seriousness his exploits at Fulham. There is no real success. Hodgson has never won a league title outside Scandinavia. His methods, as he put it himself, ‘have translated from Halmstads to Malmo, to Orebo to Neuchatel Xamax, to the Swiss national team.’

Liverpool fans are not showing impatience with Hodgson, they are voicing their feeling that he was the wrong appointment for a club that demands more than going a year without an away win and nobody noticing.”

On today’s matchup:

“Tomorrow promises more warmth and conviviality. Hodgson and Houllier will talk about their mutual respect and reflect on their great gifts of survival, skipping over their exploits which have earned them such admiration from their many friends in football. A draw would be the most fitting demonstration of this great bromance.”

And, right on cue, Ged pronounces Hodgson the man for all Liverpool seasons:

“I saw Liverpool play against West Ham the other week. They are back. I am sure Roy will turn it around at Liverpool. He will do it. No problem. Give him a bit of time. He needs to change a few things. The problem is at Liverpool, when you lose, it’s a crisis.”

Indeed.

Some Related Liverpool Posts:Match Preview: Liverpool v. Aston Villa, 12.06.10Matchday: Liverpool v. SpursMatchday: Liverpool v. West HamMatchday: Liverpool v. SunderlandMatchday: Liverpool v. Arsenal

Category: Matchday Posts, Miscellaneous, Premier League, Team News

Tags: Matchday Posts, Miscellaneous, Premier League, Roy Hodgson, Team News
« Match Preview: Liverpool v. Aston Villa, 12.06.10 | Home | Liverpool 3, Aston Villa 0: Taking Advantage »GalahadThreepwood3-0 over Villa and up to 8th in the League. Fairly encouraging considering where we were two months ago. I still wish Roy were leaving tomorrow, but as long as we keep getting results, I can't really complain.GalahadThreepwoodSmall quibble, though. On the official site's league table, it shows us with a goal differential of 0 after today's match. We were at -2 going in and scored 3 without conceding. Shouldn't the GD be +1 at this point?NoelI would have thought Cole on for Kuyt at 60 or thereabouts, all things considered, but I guess at least it's a substitution before the 80th. Or something.LynzDid anyone elses heart leap when they saw Xabi Alonso in the crowd?

...
Just me then?NatalyaThere are some among us punters, whose hearts leap when we see Xabi Alonso anywhere :-)

Though at Anfield might be doubly so!NoelNo, I think it was more than just you.JoseHaven't really seen Johnson getting into attacking positions so far.
Hmmm....NatalyaMy my yes it has the look, for one eve at least, of being a fantastic partnership.

Ngog adding to an already fine night with a telling pass for a brilliant one-time strike from Maxi.RoscoWhat a finishEdMaxigolJoseNgog-Babel strike partnership looking pretty darn good!
Fernando who-?
=PJustin BonebrakeAnyone see Maxi's snood? If I had one, it would have to look like that haha.NoelThat's about where I stand--can't imagine ever actually wearing one, but that's pretty damn awesome.CharlieGuys, Jol has just quit Ajax. Any thoughts? And congrats on being two up!JoelHopefully it means he's coming to Anfield and Roy is going to Newcastle??NoelI could live with that.GalahadThreepwood2-0 up at halftime. I can't see the game, so I don't know how the squad is playing. Happy with the results so far, though.JoelPlaying great- pressing high, Lucas/Raul absolutely dominating the center of the park. Lucas especially has played a number of great passes, Raul no slouch either. Babel and Ngog showing some excellent movement up top and are linking up well- Ngog generally dropping into midfield a bit with Babel playing on the shoulders. Only black mark has been Kuyt- his touch has been absolutely dire and he's killed a few good moves. Running and closing down as usual, but touch and passing look off.EdGood goals, good play from Meireles and Lucas, but not much else. The last 25 minutes or so were pretty nasty stuff, capped by Hodgson shouting "no goals against us." Confidence at an all-time high against an opponent laying down completely.Noel"Shut yer fuckin' gob."

So, sounds like the mic's picking up some good stuff today?Joelloved the "AH, FECKING 'ELL" as Dirk closed down on Warnock towards the end of the firstNoelSloppy, sloppy match this is turning into.NatalyaNgog having a good performance.

Ironic to see our old friend Warnock. I bet more than a few of us wouldn't mind having him be our left back these days.

Don't fancy how we are "playing", too many long balls from the FB's, a Hodgson speciality. We look far more dangerous from set pieces than open play.EdWow, Ngog and then Babel...what a strange feeling.RoscoWould be totally euphoric. . . . If villa weren't totally bollocks these days.

Taking no shine off the goals though, even if it was a mile offside!NoelAnd just like that... probably an inch offside, but gorgeous feed by Lucas there off a nice bit of grunt work by N'Gog.GrubbStream's working! Nice assist by Lucas on the Babel goal, great finish and extra marks for the flip. His true position?Justin BonebrakeI've always thought Babel would be brilliant in a false nine set up with the 3 strikers up to drifting around. Imagine a world where Babel, N'gog, and Torres all play at the same time!! Gerrard, Meireles and Lucas in midfield?!?Gdangvuwhat a chip by Lucas. We didn't see too much of that last year, but it looks like he's coming into his own as a true CM.NatalyaBrilliant header from Ngog. And just as I'm writing this, a fine touch by Lucas and an even better finish from Babel.

Say that twice....Babel....GOAL :-0Justin BonebrakeBABEL!!! GOAL!!!GalahadThreepwoodWe're 1-0 up on an Ngog header. Hope Roy doesn't decide to pull everyone back and defend the lead now.GalahadThreepwoodOK, now it's 2-0 on a Babel goal. Now I hope Roy doesn't park the proverbial bus. :)Rosco"Wight lads! Flat back 11!"RoscoFaaaaaaaccccckkkkinnn superb!Noel4222, a bit of possession, and a N'Gog goal... but damn is Konchesky scaring me.RoscoAye he's proper pants. Aurelios twice the player he isRoscoSee mrs Torres has gone into labour.

Women!GrubbHopefully it's a boy, with all of his father's talent, who wants more than anything to play for LFC. We can dream can't we?RoscoLove your optimism my friend. Just don't see our talisman being at Liverpool for the peak of his career.

Don't know whyGalahadThreepwoodThe sports are different, I know, but I think the recent experience of the Vikings and Cowboys in the NFL shows that changing coaches in mid-season is at least worthy of consideration when a team's underperforming. I just wish John Henry saw it that way. Problem is, I really believe he's committed to Roy for the long haul. I see Hodgson staying at least until the end of the season, if not longer, as depressing as that is.

Small note on the teamsheet: Torres is out because his wife just went into labor. Babel's starting in his place. So, congratulations to Nando, and good luck to Babel. We need him to be on today.RoscoApologies Galahad. Never noticed you broke the baby news 1stGalahadThreepwoodNo prob. Hope everything goes well with Mrs. Torres and the baby.EdIn fairness I think I was typing it in the edits or had already tweeted it or something, you bastards.RoscoOf course you wereNoelMuch as there seems to be more and more to dislike about him, I actually feel quite good about the match. I mean, given what an essentially unchanged side did against Tottenham away and now it's a struggling Villa at home... a warm reception for Ged and then a smashing seems in order. Which means maybe I should go and put a lot of money on Villa getting three points.INCABRUCEThis is unbelievable! Haha I mean the thing I really dislike about him is his lack of a win at all costs mentality. Besides that he can be sharp at times and sure he knows the game but jeez patience is being tested here. January transfer signing and Christmas gift perhaps a new manger??

King Kenny maybe??

YNWAJoelIt just makes me think of a quote from a British general during the American revolution who complained that the rebels were not conducting themselves properly during battles because snipers with rifled muskets would hide in treelines and pick off the British officers instead of lining up to fight like 'proper gentlemen'.JoelErm, Disqus ate half my comment there- was talking about how Roy seems to focus on being liked and not trying to 'trick' the other team by using strategy instead of finding how to effectively counter the opposing team.lfc4eternityA new Manger would be nice as I suspect there are a few nativity plays at the moment that could do with one.....But let's all just ask Santa for a new manager at LFC, at least one who goes for the win, is positive in the way he plays and not just positive that we should be drawing with frankly mid table rivals, can restore some pride, get's the best out of players uses the squad well, is tactically aware, respects the club and does not buy crap like Konchesky and Poulsen!steven.i can't believe he's still here.....
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