Ok, I get it, it’s Aston Villa. But please allow for some self indulgence. I support a team who lost to Newcastle.

Squeezing into my seat in an oddly subdued away end, I was taken by the way that our team suddenly looked measured and balanced. It’s amazing what difference the inclusion of an actual striker makes to the team, especially one of Sturridge’s supreme ability. In my more pessimistic days this season, I’ve often suggested that it would probably be best for all involved if Sturridge was moved on to pastures new, I even posted some lunacy that he didn’t want to play because God told him not to. Today made me realise how stupid I was.

From the word go, Sturridge’s mercurial movement was causing the Villa defence agonising issues, deftly drifting off his man, allowing Coutinho and Firmino the freedom to showcase their brilliance. Although the game began with a typically slow pace, it wasn’t long before the fluidity of Liverpool’s passing began to stretch a dilapidated Aston Villa, who seem desperately simply for the season to end. When the first goal came, it was in such a typically Sturridge-like manner that it was almost as if he had never missed a game. Darting away from his man, he met Coutinho’s cross unopposed, and nodded in so gently that it actually took the travelling Kop a couple of seconds to grasp that the lead had indeed been taken. A cheer went up, although it was not pandemonium in the away end. It’s Villa, and Liverpool should be taking the lead against them.

The first goal set the tone. Villa, as abject as Liverpool were clinical, somehow contrived to allowed Milner’s delivery into the box to bypass everyone and into the far corner of the net. 2-0, although not quite game over, a two goal cushion is never enough with the erstwhile Mignolet in goal. However, Villa were disastrous in a manner that even would disgrace Sunderland, and were highly fortunate to only be 2-0 down at half time. Needless to say, there was very little threat of a Villa goal up the other end.

Half time came, amid a chorus of boos from the home fans, who surely deserve better than the drabness of Remi Guarde’s team. Half time took on a convivial nature as most scurried to the toilets or to top up the intake of Carlsberg. As ever, me and Dad remained in our seats, pleased to take in the blessed relief of being away from a very intoxicated Scot who somehow felt the need to sing Celtic songs, only to be met with responses of ‘divvy’ by several Scousers, obviously as perplexed as me. The team rolled back out and the second half began. Liverpool continued in the same dominant manner as the first, although it was evident that Sturridge by this point was lagging. Notetheless, Villa’s obvious lack of shape and coherency was always going to give us more chances, and on minute 58, the floodgates opened.

It started with a poor ball forward from Milner that was pounced upon by the marvelous tenacity of Firmino. Immediately poaching the ball from the hapless Villa defence, he played a square ball to the on coming Emre Can, who began to charge into space. ‘Anyone but him!’ I winced, just as Can pulled the trigger on a shot that flew into the bottom corner. I love being proved wrong by Liverpool players, and simply laughed as the big German charged towards his adoring fans. The day was ours, and a a massive score seeme in the offing.

Minutes later, Divock Origi, who had replaced Sturridge mere seconds earlier, was played through. Unlike his compatriot Benteke, who seems to have rare talent for missing one on one’s, Origi never looked like he was going to miss. Calmly sliding it past the keeper, he too ran into the crowd, only to receive a surprise Valentine’s day kiss from the adoring faithful. By this point we were all going wild. We didn’t care if it was Villa, it was just really nice to watch us batter someone.

Goals from Clyne and Toure, coming as a result of defending Sunday League teams would cringe at, completed the rout. Villa were an embarrassment and look doomed, but Liverpool’s attacking flair and creativity was a joy to behold and has come at a welcome time as Wembley looms.

Man of the Match: Firmino

Moment of the Match: Kolo scoring.