Stan Collymore rediscovered his form with a vengeance as a two-goal blast
against former club Liverpool ensured a winning start for new Aston Villa
manager John Gregory.
Collymore had failed to live up to his £7 million price tag since his summer
move from Anfield with just five goals in his previous 32 appearances.
But he looked to have a confidence and hunger for the game that has not always
been evident in a Villa shirt and it was the Collymore of old who caused havoc
when he ran at the Liverpool defence.
He could easily have had a hat-trick before being withdrawn from the action 13
minutes from time to a standing ovation from the Villa fans in the 39,392
crowd.
Gregory reverted to a 3-4-3 system and Villa certainly posed a threat with a
Collymore-Dwight Yorke-Julian Joachim combination up front as they collected
three vital points in the battle against relegation.
It was also a vital boost before Tuesday's UEFA Cup quarter-final first leg
encounter with Atletico Madrid in the Calderon Stadium.
Injury-hit Liverpool also played their part in one of the most entertaining
matches at Villa Park this season with rival keepers Mark Bosnich and Brad
Friedel in outstanding form.
But defeat looks to have ended any lingering title aspirations for Liverpool.
Manchester United's morning win at Chelsea means that Roy Evans's side are now
12 points off the pace.
Gregory was given the worst possible start by his new charges with Michael
Owen putting Liverpool ahead from the penalty spot after only six minutes with
his 18th goal of the campaign.
Bosnich brought down Oyvind Leonhardsen after he had been put clear by Steve
McManaman - and Owen sent Bosnich the wrong way with the resulting spot-kick.
Villa then suffered a setback when leading scorer Yorke picked up his fifth
booking of the campaign which leaves him facing a suspension.
But in the 10th minute Collymore struck an opportunist goal to bring Villa
level.
Yorke and Joachim were involved in the build-up and when the ball came to
Collymore on the edge of the area he fired a low drive past Friedel, who had
replaced David James.
There was no doubting the joy felt by Collymore as he ran to the touchline,
passionately clutching his claret and blue shirt in the direction of the Villa
fans.
But three minutes later the former Nottingham Forest player was involved in a
midfield flare-up with Paul Ince which saw both players collect yellow cards.
Both sides played with great freedom and Collymore could have struck again
when he shrugged off the challenge of Jamie Carragher but then lofted his chip
over Friedel but wide of the post.
Friedel, whose inclusion ended James's record of 212 successive games for
Liverpool, had to cling onto a low drive from Yorke and a curling Collymore
free-kick.
But Liverpool enjoyed a period of supremacy before the interval with Bosnich
brilliantly tipping over a 20-yard curler from Owen and then relieved to see
McManaman's deflected shot fly inches past the post.
Collymore again looked menacing after the break and one surging run left the
Liverpool defence trailing in his wake before he released the overlapping
Joachim.
The former Leicester player was odds-on to score but Friedel did exceptionally
well to spread himself full length and block Joachim's shot.
Bosnich was relieved to see a shot from Owen which took a wicked deflection
off Wright hit the post as he scrambled across his goal.
Then in the 65th minute Collymore sent Villa Park wild with delight as he
grabbed his second goal of the game.
Taylor was put clear by Yorke and his shot beat Friedel comprehensively but
rebounded back off the post. However, the razor sharp Collymore was on hand to
convert the rebound.
Yorke then had the chance to give Villa breathing space when he surged into
the area but Friedel again held his nerve to block the shot from the Trinidad
and Tobago international.
Teams
Aston Villa: Bosnich, Southgate, Ehiogu, Taylor, Yorke,
Collymore (Byfield 77), Joachim, Wright, Grayson, Hendrie,
Scimeca.
Subs Not Used: Charles, Nelson, Collins, Oakes.
Booked: Yorke, Collymore, Byfield.
Goals: Collymore 10, 65.
Liverpool: Friedel, Jones (Murphy 76), McManaman,
Leonhardsen (Berger 80), Harkness, Riedle, Ince, Owen, Bjornebye,
Carragher, Thompson.
Subs Not Used: James, Kvarme, Rizzo.
Booked: Ince, Carragher.
Goals: Owen 6 pen.
Att: 39,372
Ref: G Poll (Tring).
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