Liverpool 1-0 Aston Villa
A third Liverpool win in a week kept the pressure on Charlton as Liverpool kept up their unbeaten start to 2004 at home to Aston Villa on Saturday.
The winning goal came nine minutes from half time, with the ball bouncing in off Mark Delaney who knew nothing about it, but despite a touch of good fortune, Liverpool once again did enough to deserve the points.
The outstanding Dietmar Hamann could have put the Reds up inside a minute when his low drive from 25 yards flew agonisingly wide of Thomas Sorensen's goal, and Michael Owen should have opened the scoring ten minutes later though his attempts to divert Harry Kewell's cross into the net from 5 yards out failed, with the striker's side footed effort crashing against the bar.
Aston Villa rarely troubled Liverpool, but almost went ahead through a close range Darius Vassell volley, which on loan keeper Paul Jones had to be at his best to keep out.
Once Liverpool were ahead, they began to look much the stronger of the sides and a solid defensive display barely gave Villa a chance of getting back into the match.
Going forward, Liverpool created a number of chances from which to kill the game off. Owen missed a chance in the first half to double the margin of the Reds' advantage, and Harry Kewell should have netted his 9th of the season with opportunities that fell his way.
The Aussie put in his best performance yet since returning from injury, but had an off day in front of goal, blasting high into the Kop on one occasion after a fine run by him to set up the goalscoring chance, and striking the side netting late on, after a determined run from the halfway line by Cheyrou, who made a late substitute appearance.
It wasn't the most spectacular of performances, but Liverpool did what was needed to earn the points and should be in confident shape when they travel to White Hart Lane next Saturday.
LFC-1 Star Man: Dietmar Hamann.
