No happy return for Houllier as Liverpool beat Villa
Wednesday, 8 December 2010
LIVERPOOL, Dec 7 (AFP): Liverpool ensured there would be no happy return for former manager Gerard Houllier as they beat the Frenchman's Aston Villa side 3-0 in the Premier League here Monday.
Two goals in the space of three first-half minutes from David Ngog and Ryan Babel all but settled the match in Liverpool's favour before Maxi Rodriguez added a third 10 minutes into the second half.
Victory saw Liverpool move up into eighth place in the table, 10 points behind leaders Arsenal.
For Villa, defeat meant the Midlands club remained just two points above the relegation zone and Houllier said going behind so early in the match had been a shattering blow to his team.
"I cannot fault the players for the effort, they tried hard.
"When you concede a goal after 12, 13 minutes at Anfield it's hard to come back. It's a shame because I thought we could have done something here today."
And the Frenchman added Villa's league position was a worry, saying: "We are concerned. The players and the staff have to take things in our hands."
But for Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson this victory was a sign of his side's progress after a dreadful start to the season.
"I think we shot ourselves in the foot early doors so we're still limping but the limp's getting better every game."
Two goals in the space of three first-half minutes from David Ngog and Ryan Babel all but settled the match in Liverpool's favour before Maxi Rodriguez added a third 10 minutes into the second half.
Victory saw Liverpool move up into eighth place in the table, 10 points behind leaders Arsenal.
For Villa, defeat meant the Midlands club remained just two points above the relegation zone and Houllier said going behind so early in the match had been a shattering blow to his team.
"I cannot fault the players for the effort, they tried hard.
"When you concede a goal after 12, 13 minutes at Anfield it's hard to come back. It's a shame because I thought we could have done something here today."
And the Frenchman added Villa's league position was a worry, saying: "We are concerned. The players and the staff have to take things in our hands."
But for Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson this victory was a sign of his side's progress after a dreadful start to the season.
"I think we shot ourselves in the foot early doors so we're still limping but the limp's getting better every game."