Source: Daily_Mail
Aston Villa 0 Liverpool 1: Torres too hot as Spaniard catches Villa cold
Fernando Torres. One chance, one goal. That, ultimately, was the story at Villa Park.[LNB]It didn't matter that the opportunity presented itself in the dying seconds. It didn't matter, either, that Pepe Reina had kept Liverpool in touch by producing two saves of the highest quality.[LNB] Late, late show: Torres keeps his cool deep into injury time to score the winning goal for Liverpool[LNB]The Spanish goalkeeper was the match-saver. His compatriot was the match-winner. Top-notch strikers need just that faint whiff of a chance, and that sums up Torres.[LNB]You don't beat the Roger Hunts, Ian Rushes, Robbie Fowlers andMichael Owens of this world to the title of being the fastest scorer of50 league goals for a club likeLiverpool unless you have got that eye and killer instinct.[LNB]Stephen Warnock's pass near the left touchline back to Richard Dunneresulted in the Aston Villa centre half slipping over. Dirk Kuytreacted quickly, passing inside to Yossi Benayoun. Villa midfielderSteve Sidwell was alert to the danger but the ball squirted out of histackle into Torres's path.[LNB]Torres touched it once and then finished across goalkeeper BradFriedel into the bottom corner of the net. It was tough on Villa,undoubtedly, but that's why strikers cost big money.[LNB] Pure delight: Fernando Torres celebrates his dramatic late winner[LNB]Seconds later, Villa manager Martin O'Neill departed with the snowswirling around his ears and no doubt plenty of anguish in between them.[LNB]Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez said with something of anunderstatement at the final whistle: 'I knew we were signing a verygood player with a good mentality. He has one chance. He scores.'[LNB]In a season where Liverpool supporters are grasping for any signs of consistency, this could be a turning point.[LNB]It was the club's first 1-0 victory of the season, the first timesince the end of September that they had strung together back-to-backvictories in the Premier League.[LNB]Defeat at Villa Park last night would have seen them languishingseven points behind fourth-placed Tottenham and their battle for aChampions League place next seasonwould have been as good as over.[LNB][LNB] Snow joke: Jamie Carragher under pressure from Nigel Reo-Coker[LNB] [LNB]Yet, as much as Torres should grab the glory for the cool efficiencyof his late goal, this was as much a triumph for Reina, who made twosaves of stunning quality that provided the platform for Torres tosteal the limelight.[LNB]The first came on the half-hour. It would be churlish to say hedidn't know too much about it, but it was a fantastic reflex save.[LNB]James Milner's corner eluded everyone bar Stewart Downing, who hadpeeled away, somehow un-noticed, at the far post. The England wingerwill not strike a ball as sweetly as it dipped towards him in the icyBirmingham air.[LNB]He thumped it goalwards from all of eight yards and Reina pushed outhis right elbow, the volley smashing into the limb and away to safety.[LNB]In the second-half, as Villa got their second wind, Reina stood upto deflect Gabby Agbonlahor's shot away from goal after the forward hadbrushed aside Jamie Carragher and sped towards the danger zone.[LNB]As it always seemed likely that one goal would win it, the importance of that cannot be over-estimated.[LNB] Snow surrender: Gabriel Agbonlahor is challenged by Liverpool's Jamie Lucas[LNB] [LNB]John Carew sent a header past the post from a corner and there were other scares besides, mainly from set-pieces.[LNB]But Liverpool had a shout for a penalty that referee Lee Probertfailed to see through a cluster of players when Richard Dunne's latetackle on Dirk Kuyt went unspotted.[LNB]Even allowing for the difficult conditions, Benitez hadjustification for moaning afterwards. But O'Neill had greater cause forcomplaint.[LNB]This holiday period was supposed to be the acid test of Villa'sseason. After matching Arsenal for an hour, and doing likewise toLiverpool for all but the last few seconds, it was understandable thathis media duties afterwards were carried out in subdued fashionfollowing two defeats.[LNB]He left Villa Park with his head in his hands. He wasn't alone. Thathad been the reaction of around 40,000 others when Torres sent the ballpast Friedel.[LNB] Heads up: John Carew challenges Lucas at Villa Park[LNB]'It wasn't a lapse in concentration,' O'Neill said. 'It was acollection of circumstances that conspired against us in the build-upto that goal.[LNB]'But there's no doubt that this was a blow. Reina made two greatsaves, two other efforts shaved the post and it's just hard to take.[LNB]'We have to reflect now on what's been, on the face of it, a poorChristmas. We have lost both games. Certainly, tonight, we should havewon.'[LNB]That they failed to win was down to one man. Reina. That they lost was down to another.[LNB] [LNB] LIVE: PREMIER LEAGUE - All the action as it happened from Aston Villa v Liverpool and Bolton v HullPennant could be back in England as winger is offered to Aston VillaASTON VILLA FC
