The Reds cruised to an easy two nil victory over Aston Villa at Vila Park. With the Christmas period looming and the games coming up thick and fast you always have half an eye on fitness and whether players start looking tired. No worries after this one really with the Reds firing to a quick start and never looking back.
The Reds made two changes with Jonjo Shelvey coming in to midfield from the start and Craig Bellamy also coming in to the side. Bellamy and Shelvey both had good games for me and that justified their inclusions. That said no-one had a bad really.
The Reds got the game started wearing their third kit of White for the first time I think this season - well in a competitive game anyway.
It didn't take the Reds long to get in to the groove and start to be the dominant side. On seven minutes Downing who was being booed at his every touch cut inside Warnock before firing off a shot to the near post but Guzan got down well to save it.
A minute later at the other end and Heskey headed straight at Reina but he was already flagged offside so it wouldn't have counted anyway.
On ten minutes the Reds took the lead when Bellamy prodded in from six yards. Downing whipped in a corner and Shelvey flipped it on - Suarez tried to score but was blocked and the ball fell at Bellamy's feet so he just prodded it home - a bit like the old days put the ball in the net and we'll discuss the options later.
Villa looked rattled and N'Zogbia was booked on twelve minutes when he took Johnson down - possibly a little harsh.
Two minutes later and the Reds were two up from another corner kick. Craig Bellamy won the corner and took it himself and it was on the money as well. Bellamy put good air on the ball and Skrtel ran across to head the ball to the far top corner. He doesn't always impress me in the box but he met this one really well and although the score never improved in the end that was game over anyway. Villa looked awful and think on width and ideas.
The Reds dominated the game from this point on and my mind was wandering to Fulham away last season and wondering if we were going to hammer a poor side. As it happened the scoreline wasn't a hammering which on the day prevented us from going to fifth and that's a shame although of course the woodwork came between us and more once again - please make these goals two inches wider please!
Charlie Adam picked up a booking just before the half hour for a pull on Heskey but it was just as much about all of his other fouls I think. Two minutes later and Bellamy was booked as Alan Hutton ran in to him racing down the wing. A free kick was given against him and I think the yellow was more for his protest at the lino rather than the challenge itself although I think he had a point.
The game gradually evened itself out a bit as the half wore on although neither keeper was really tested before half time. Villa got more of the ball but they had no real width about them so it was all very easy for the Reds to contain them.
Neither side made changes at half time so it was Villa who got the game started again having coming out for the half first.
The second half started really well for the Reds and but for better finishing we could have extended the lead.
A minute in to the half and Agger saw a Villa pass early and came out of defence. He passed to Bellamy and carried on his run to the area but when Bellamy returned the favour with a cross Agger headed wide. He seemed surprised really that the ball reached him and perhaps he should have done better.
A minute later and Bellamy fed Suarez and after losing out initially he got the ball back before cutting inside his man and then shot only to see his shot hammer the bar and go clear.
On fifty minutes Johnson latched on to a loose ball by Stephen Warnock and hit a great shot on goal but Guzan was equal to it and turned it out for a corner.
Villa were looking well beaten at this point and they tried to change things when they replaced Heskey with Bannan on fifty seven minutes. After a quick bit of pressure - N'Zogbia shot straight at Reina and then Delph had Reina in a panic - though more because his shot his Skrtel to leave him scrambling. From the resulting corner Reina punched clear and we broke well. A ball over the top and Suarez was in and after creating some space for himself he chipped Guzan only to see his shot cannon out off the post and Bellamy skied the follow up. That would have been top class from Suarez and it deserved to go in.
On the hour mark Suarez fed Shelvey but his shot was well saved by Guzan and in the follow up play Adam burst in to the box only to see his shot deflected just wide for a corner.
The game gradually eased down and it became a one sided affair with just a few subs to brighten a cold afternoon up. Andy Carroll came on for Luis Suarez on seventy three minutes and that was good to see Luis get a rest - he hadn't had the greatest of games by his standards but had hit the woodwork twice.
As the clock ticked on Jamie Carragher was given some time as he replaced Shelvey with seven minutes to go. Carra took the armband off Reina and slotted in to defensive midfield against Villa - the position he first came in to the side as - against Villa nearly fifteen years ago. It was quite funny seeing Carragher in this position as he looked a bit lost at times with his natural instinct being to defend. I can't actually remember if he actually touched the ball.
Craig Bellamy was also subbed with two minutes to go which allowed him to be given an ovation by the traveling Reds. Bellamy had a great game and looked full of invention throughout and grabbed the first goal of the day which set us off on to the winning trail.
After three extra minutes this stroll in the park was brought to an end with the only disappointment being that we didn't score more on the day and really put Villa to the sword.
MotM : Craig Bellamy - superb play and inventive throughout the match. I also thought Shelvey got through some good work which is good to see given his recent loan deal at Blackpool. He looked fitter and more match sharp than I've seen him before.
