Match Report 051105 at Aston Villa: A nice result, although we should win it more comfortably

2-0 and this is our first away league win since Portsmouth in mid April, and our first win after an European game since beating Arsenal about a year ago. We controlled the game very well but it was not until Rafa made some changes before we win the game.

At the back Carra had at least 3 crucial tackles that keep the cleansheet. This is purely class and now that he is rested for the friendly game it should be good for the team. Crouch was very lively although he did not score, but his time will come.

In the Villa team Milan was doing well but there was just not enough support to him and Carra simply one class above everyone. We now keep 3 cleansheets and win 3 straight games. We will soon catch up with first 4.

Player Rating:
Reina: 7 Well protected by the back 4 and he did have a good punch early on.
Finnan: 7 Very nice defending in the defense unit but not much in attack.
Carragher: 9 Player of the year peformance.
Hyypia: 7 He is much better than a few months ago. No wonder he is Finnish Footballer of the Year again.
Riise: 7 Doing well in defense but not much in attack.
Gerrard: 7.5 Not as influential as he should be, but he is still brave enough to take the penalty.
Alonso: 7.5 Scored a beauty, but one mistake almost need to Milan scoring but thanks to the perfect interception of Carra it was not a issue.
Sissoko: 6.5 Solid performance.
Luis Garcia: 6 Not effective this time.
Cisse: 6 Wasted too many chances and was not confident enough.
Morientes: 6 Very invisible. Maybe he is still carrying the injury?

Substitutions:
Zenden: 7 Doing well from the left with a few good crosses. One of it lead to the second goal that sealed the game.
Crouch: 7 Provided lots of troubles for Villa. Although he did not score but he earned the penalty for the first goal and it was his continuous challenging the Villa defenders that lead to the second goal.
Kewell: 7 Doing well from the right wing.

Rafa: 7.5 Most people would think the game will end up to be a disappointing draw again, but his substitutes changed the story. Well tactical changes.

Aston Villa: 6 Sorensen is probably robbed a good result by his defenders, and Milan was lively but simply run in a wall with Carra and Hyypia.

Man of the Match: Carragher. Excellent defensive display.