Questionable Penalty Helps Liverpool Avoid Defeat

 2-2 

Liverpool welcomed Daniel Sturridge back into the line-up with Aston Villa coming to Anfield.  The striker has been out for the last nine matches and got to start next to Suarez today in the attack.

Despite playing on the road, Aston Villa gained all the momentum early in the match and kept Liverpool on their heels for most of the first-half.  Gabriel Agbonlahor was especially a handfull and helped the visitors take a two goal lead.  First Agbonlahor beat defender Kolo Touré to get a cross into the box that was finished by Andreas Weimann sliding into the shot (25').  Then Agbonlahor provided the cross that Christian Benteke finished with a header (37').  Benteke was helped out by Liverpool keeper Mignolet who missed his punch to allowed a free header on an open net.

Liverpool managed to get one back in the first-half stoppage-time to narrow the gap before the break.  Suarez made a pass to Jordan Henderson who used a heel-flick to play Sturridge behind the Aston Villa defense.  Sturridge was left onside by captain Ron Vlaar and beat keeper Guzan for Liverpool's first goal of the match (45 +2').

After half-time Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers replaced Philippe Coutinho with Lucas to help protect the defense.  This allowed Gerrard to push forward and get more involved in the attack.  Liverpool played better in this system and equalized when Suarez earned a penalty.  Aston Villa keeper Guzan came off his line to stop Suarez dashing forward, but missed the ball in his attempt.  Suarez went down rather easily to get the call and Villa players and supporters were shouting for a simulation yellow card.  Regardless Gerrard scored from the spot to level the match (53').

The rest of the match was left wide open with neither side taking control.  In the end though neither side could produce a go-ahead goal and the match ended in a draw.  The result was kind of win-win for both clubs with Liverpool recovering from a two goal deficit, and Aston Villa getting a point on the road.  Unfortunately Arsenal and Man. City won matches today and pull further away from Liverpool in the Premier League table.

Arsenal Edge Aston Villa, Back in First

 1-2 

Arsenal and Aston Villa were the last two Premier League clubs to play the round of 21, getting the lone Monday night fixture.  Right now the team to beat, Arsenal have been superb this season.  However, Aston Villa is one of the few teams that has beaten Arsenal this season, winning 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium on opening day.

Aston Villa initially had only three defenders in the starting line-up today with Clark, Baker, and Vlaar in front of keeper Guzan.  Before the defense was really tested though, Baker was knocked unconscious  by a shot from Arsenal's Gnabry.  The shot struck Baker in the head and the medical staff administered an oxygen mask before carrying him off on a stretcher.  When play resumed Leandro Bacuna replaced Baker and Aston Villa shifted to a four-man defense.

The extra man in defense did not help Aston Villa slow down Arsenal's attack and the Gunners scored two goals in a minute.  First fullback Monreal rolled a cross into the box for Jack Wilshere.  With his first touch, Wilshere controlled the ball before rolling the shot to the far corner of the net (34').  Immediately after Wilshere setup Giroud with a well placed early cross.  Giroud's first touch was perfect and gave him just enough space around defender Lowton to get a shot on goal (35').

Aston Villa saw very little of the ball in the first-half and only held possession 30% of the time.  The second-half was better for Villa as they managed to surpass Arsenal in attempts on target.  One of those attempts was successful in fact, closing the lead to one goal.  Lowton played a cross into the box and Benteke scored with a diving header at the far-post (76').  Unfortunately for the home side an equalizer was not produced and Arsenal claim another road win.

Today's win puts Arsenal back in first place in the league table.  Manchester City, Chelsea, and Liverpool also won their matches keeping the points difference the same as it was last week.  Arsenal get Fulham at home over this coming weekend while Aston Villa go to Anfield for a test against Liverpool.

Aston Villa Own-Goal the Difference for Chelsea

2-1

Playing the midweek match at Stamford Bridge, Aston Villa caught a bad break early in the match, conceding an own-goal.  Chelsea's Hazard fired a shot from the left side that keeper Guzan had covered.  Guzan parried the shot away from his goal, but right at his teammate Luna who inadvertently sent the ball back into his own net (6').

Chelsea were well in control for the first-half with 70% of possession while holding Aston Villa to only one shot.  On top of that Aston Villa had to make a change to their back line when Clark received a gash on his forehead that required stitches.  However in the first-half stoppage time, Villa finally managed to get a shot on target.  Winger Agbonlahor made a strong run up the left side that forced Cahill out wide to defend.  With Cahill out of place Agbonlahor picked out Benteke in the box who found just enough space to slip his shot inside the near-post (45 +3').

Chelsea continued to maintain about 70% of possession in the second-half, and retook the lead from a set-piece.  Lampard delivered the free-kick into the box that landed perfectly for Ivanovic right in front of goal.  Ivanovic finished with a clean header, struck down to give the keeper no chance (73').

Aston Villa had a couple good chances to score themselves in the second-half, but twice Weimann was denied by keeper Cech who made two great saves.

Though the season just started Chelsea are off to a perfect start under manager José Mourinho.  Next will be a big test for Chelsea as they travel to Old Trafford to take on the defending league champions Manchester United.