Source: PA
Hodgson hails team effort
Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson was delighted with the way his side coped in the absence of Fernando Torres by dispatching Aston Villa 3-0 at Anfield.
The hosts raced into a two-goal lead through David Ngog and Ryan Babel in the first 16 minutes before Maxi Rodriguez added the third 10 minutes after the interval.
Torres was given leave to be with his wife Olalla, who gave birth to their second child, but the star striker was not missed.
"It was important to get a result on the back of last week's performance (a 2-1 defeat at Tottenham)," he said.
"It was slightly more satisfying that so many more players stepped up to the plate and took more responsibility in the absence of our three most recognised stars in Torres, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher (the latter two being out injured).
"The most pleasing aspect was the team effort; the shape was good throughout and I think it was more a triumph of teamwork over individual brilliance."
