Liverpool squander chances as they see off Villa challenge

Aston Villa 0

Michael Owen had a penalty saved and Villa keeper Peter Enckelman made three stunning point-blank saves, twice from Owen and once from the outstanding Steven Gerrard.

After an indifferent pre-season and last weekend’s Community Shield defeat against Arsenal, Liverpool could ill-afford to start their campaign any other way. Villa toiled, fought manfully and missed chances, but despite all their sweat they were second best on the day. Their disruptive summer finally came to an end with George Boateng and Paul Merson gone, Alpay firmly at the heart of defence despite his transfer demand, while new signing Ulises de la Cruz made his league debut and new boys Stefan Postma, Marcus Allback and Michael Boulding were on the bench.