Match Report: Liverpool Fail to Find Answers to Problems Posed by Revitalised Villa

It was Tim Sherwood’s Aston Villa who saved a date for May 30th, very much acting as party poopers to what was ‘destined’ to be Steven Gerrard’s big day. The Liverpool captain was recalled to the starting line-up by Brendan Rodgers and if there was any sentiment in the decision whatsoever - however unlikely given an injury to Lucas - it may have been one the Reds boss was left to rue.

Goals from Christian Benteke and Fabian Delph ensured a 2-1 win for the Midlands outfit, coming after Liverpool had taken the lead on the half hour mark through Philippe Coutinho in what was a rare moment of quality from the Merseysiders on the day. Aston Villa may have rode their luck at times, with Mario Balotelli wrongly deemed offside late on, but fortune favours the brave, as they say, and this was a show of courage from a side that have been buoyed by the arrival of Sherwood in February.

In a season that has left the Villa fans with very little to cheer, this was quite the occasion to put in what was arguably their most accomplished performance of the entire season. To a man Sherwood’s men were impressive and more determined than their opponents, who came into the game as clear favourites.

After an even start it was Villa who came closest in the early stages, as Charles N’Zogbia’s shot was tipped over by Mignolet after decent work on the left between Delph and Benteke, which would prove a theme. Sherwood’s side were then disrupted a little by yet another injury to a centre-back, with Nathan Baker forced off on 26 minutes and moments later the Reds took the lead.

After neat passing around the edge of the box Jores Okore intercepted a dangerous ball but could only divert the ball to his captain close by, before Delph failed to clear his lines. Sterling gained possession and a lovely reverse pass found Coutinho, who scored in his third FA Cup appearance of the season from the angle, with his deflected effort evading Shay Given.

Under Paul Lambert any response from Villa would have seemed unlikely but it took them just 6 minutes to get back on level terms, and it was again combination play on the left that lead to the leveller. Fabian Delph made up for his error at the opposite end to jink free down the left before finding the excellent Jack Grealish. Delph received the ball back from the youngster and picked out the in form Christian Benteke in the box, who made it 9 from his last 7 appearances, steering past compatriot Mignolet.

Sherwood claimed post-match that he had opted for two ‘number 10s’ in the absence of Gabby Agbonlahor to confuse Liverpool and they certainly will have been left shocked by the composure of Grealish. The 19-year-old was constantly showing for the ball in what was only his fifth competitive start for his boyhood club, managing the third most touches in the first half and maintaining an outstanding 97% pass accuracy in that time. It all looked second nature to a player Sherwood claims 'has a bright future at the club'.

It was Grealish who laid on Fabian Delph’s winner, with Villa again looking to break down the left hand side. Benteke’s neat backheel found the onrushing teenager, who opted to slide through his skipper rather than going for glory himself. The ball found Delph in the box, who cut inside before finishing past Mignolet on his weaker right foot, scoring a decisive goal in the second successive round en route to the final.

While Ashley Westwood and, in particular, Tom Cleverley impressed - the latter producing three more tackles than any other player on the pitch (7) - it was Delph who really ran the midfield and deservedly picked up WhoScored.com’s man of the match award with a rating of 7.89. No player completed more passes on the day, with Delph finding a teammate from 61 of 65 attempts (93.9%), creating two chances - including Benteke’s equaliser - and completing 2 dribbles in what was a more attacking display from the England international, who Sherwood has urged to push forward more often.

The possession stats may have been 50-50 and Liverpool may have had twice the number of attempts at goal as the eventual winners (14 to 7) but Brendan Rodgers conceded that his side were second best on the day. Liverpool couldn’t find the answers to ‘spark some energy’ into their game, their manager claimed, switching formations on multiple occasions during the match.

Villa weren’t exactly spoilt for choice, with a longer injury list than any other Premier League team at present, but what they and their fans now have is belief having looked deprived of exactly that just months earlier. Sherwood deserves great credit in achieving that, but his players have proven that they have the quality to be far more comfortable than their league position suggests.

Securing their top-flight status is the number one priority for Villa, they wouldn’t want to repeat the path of Wigan after all, but the underdog status is suiting them and they will be written off by most once again against Arsenal. Chances are Tim Sherwood wouldn't want it any other way.

Can Tim Sherwood lead his Aston Villa side to FA Cup glory next month? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below