Villa undone by Gerrard brilliance
Steven Gerrard was Liverpool's match winner again
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Saturday, 11, Aug 2007 10:19
Captain Steven Gerrard scored a late free-kick to earn Liverpool a hard-fought away win at Aston Villa this evening.
The game looked to be heading for a draw after Gareth Barry cancelled out a Martin Laursen own goal when he converted a penalty for Villa with only five minutes to go.
But as always it was left to Liverpool's talisman Gerrard to rescue his side and give them a 2-1 win and the perfect start to a season which promises so much for the Merseyside club.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has spent close to £50 million this summer but out of all the new signings, it was only striker Fernando Torres who made the starting line-up.
The talented Spanish player looked a class act throughout the game and he played a part in the opening goal. Villa keeper Stuart Taylor could only palm away Torres' shot which landed to Dirk Kuyt and his cross was turned into his own net by Laursen.
Aston Villa created little going forward but they did have two good chances which fell to Stilian Petrov and Ashley Young, who both should have done better in front of goal.
Dutch winger Ryan Babel made his Liverpool debut with 15 minutes to go and almost wrapped up the points for his side but his fine shot was tipped away by Taylor.
The home team surged forward with time running out and they got their reward as Jamie Carragher handled in the box. Barry stepped up to slot the penalty away calmly.
But before the Villa fans could sit back down from celebrating their equaliser, Gerrard curled in a sublime free-kick to give Liverpool all three points.