Ahead of Saturday’s trip to Anfield, Read Aston Villa look back at just how well Villa have fared away against Liverpool.
Traditionally perceived as a difficult away game for any team in the league, away games at Anfield have proved rather fruitful in recent years, taking seven points from a possible nine in the last three meetings. Here are the past three away trips to Anfield.
15 December 2012 – Liverpool 1-3 Aston Villa
Two Christian Benteke goals and an Andy Weimann goal ensured that Villa extended their unbeaten run to five games, lifting them to 14th place in the league, whilst dampening the growing sense of optimism around Anfield by inflicting only a second defeat in 12 games.
Prior to the match, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers had been banging the drum about finishing even higher than the coveted top four spot, however, an electrifying Villa performance, especially in the attacking third, ensured that they were brought back down to reality, with manager Paul Lambert effusive in his praise of his team’s performance, saying “The whole performance was fabulous.”
Steven Gerrard scored a late consolation, but it was too little too late for a beleaguered Liverpool side.
18 January 2014 – Liverpool 2-2 Aston Villa
It was the dynamic duo at it again, as two first half goals from Weimann and Benteke meant that Villa were looking like repeating the feat from the season before, however, a Daniel Sturridge goal on the stroke of half-time, and a second-half equaliser from Gerrard from the penalty spot, mean that the spoils were shared.
In his post-match interview, Paul Lambert was left ruing refereeing decisions that he felt denied Villa a second win at Anfield in a row. Speaking of the penalty decision, he said, “I am not so sure about the penalty. I think Brad Guzan has pulled his arms away. I don’t think it’s a penalty.”
A point, however, ensured that Villa kept up their excellent recent record at Anfield at the time, having only lost once in their previous five visits.
13 September 2014 Liverpool 0-1 Aston Villa
It was yet another successful trip to Anfield for Villa, with a Gabriel Agbonlahor goal separating the sides in an early season encounter, giving Villa their best start to a season since the 1998/1999 campaign, taking 10 points from the first four games.
Tom Cleverley made his first start for Villa following his summer exit from Manchester United, with Mario Balotelli amongst six summer signings in the Liverpool line-up which had recently lost Luis Suarez to Barcelona.
However, it was the man who has been around seemingly forever that provided the goal in the 9th minute, which separated the sides, maintaining Villa’s excellent away record at Anfield.
Going into Saturday’s match, Villa will be looking to exploit Liverpool’s recent failings which has seen them without a win in 5 games, whilst looking to extend their recent unbeaten record at Anfield in recent years.
