Liverpool have won their 10th consecutive game and are level on points with 2nd placed Manchester United after a goal from Fernando Morientes and two from Steven Gerrard gave them a 3-1 victory over Aston Villa at Anfield today.United's defeat at Chelsea meant that Red hopes of making 2nd place were still alive before the kick off and the players responded by taking maximum points and ensuring that automatic qualification for the Champions League is still a possibility. Rafa rang the changes again for this one after making eight against West Ham, but that didn't stop the Reds extending their winning sequence to a perfect ten after three excellent goals from Nando and Gerrard proved enough to beat a spirited Villa side. Liverpool were in front after just 4 minutes and it was a brilliant goal from Fernando Morientes. As so often when talking about Liverpool goals, it started at the feet of Xabi Alonso; and when his incisive pass slipped Nando in, he finished superbly past Sorensen after tricking and then turning Mellberg. We had all the hallmarks of a comfortable last home game for the Reds and when Crouch tried an overhead kick just moments later thoughts were turning towards an opportunity to eat into United's superior goal difference. Not that it was all Liverpool, but as much as Aston Villa began to compete, it was the Reds who were creating the chances and Gerrard forced Sorensen into a smart save with a shot from 25 yards in the 16th minute. Aston Villa had a great chance to equalize in the 33rd minute when the ball broke to Milner, leaving Sami Hyypia and Jamie Carragher exposed to four Villa attackers. But we were relieved to see the lead remain intact when Barry could only head Milner's cross down and over the crossbar. Ex-Red Milan Baros had enjoyed a warm reception from the Kop in the first half, but his Anfield return was to be cut short when he was substituted at the interval. But his replacement Juan Pablo Angel almost scored within 3 minutes of the restart when he charged down Reina's clearance and created a moment of anxiety as the ball bounced goalwards before being cleared. Liverpool's response was instant and they had a great chance to increase their lead in the 51st minute when Cisse's cross was side footed wide by Crouch. And they came forward again soon in a move that saw Morientes' volley force Sorensen into another save. It was clear that at 1-0, Aston Villa were still in this game and they confirmed just that when Gareth Barry equalized in 58th minute. It came when Hughes got free on the left and just as it seemed everyone would miss his low cross, Barry was there at the far post to score into an empty net. The Reds were stunned, but they weren't behind for long because Steven Gerrard made it 2-1 in the 60th minute with his 20th goal of the season. Villa ignoring the age old adage that you're most vulnerable when you've just scored yourself to allow Gerrard to steam in to score from Alonso's corner at the near post. And if Gerrard's 20th goal of the season was good, his 21st just five minutes later was absolutely brilliant. Villa 'keeper Thomas Sorensen could scarcely have foreseen what was to come his way as Gerrard stood 25 yards out, but he had no chance with Gerrard's shot as it dipped into the top left corner. To their credit, Aston Villa refused to lie down and it took a fine save from Reina to stop them making it 3-2. But Liverpool had already done enough to secure the points and they more than deserved the adulation on their customary lap of honour after the last home fixture of the season.
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