Villa vs Liverpool man of the match: Ørjan Nyland

[Editor’s Note] Every match, Liam - our young writer - selects a ‘man of the match’ - win, lose or draw.

An unusual Carabao Cup tie at Villa Park as Aston Villa progressed to the Semi-Finals after beating a youthful Liverpool team 5-0.

The Reds pressurised Dean Smith’s side immediately from the start with Harvey Elliot and Herbie Kane forcing Nyland into action in the early stages of the Quarter Final.

Despite the away side dominating possession, Aston Villa took the lead in the 14th minute after Hourihane powerfully curled the ball into the bottom left hand corner. The Villans then doubled their lead three minutes later after Elmohamady’s intricate cross was deflected passed the Irishman Kelleher, prompting the Egyptian full back to emulate Christ the Redeemer in front of the Villa faithful.

Ørjan Nyland continually kept the home side in the game, excellently saving Christie’s shot and Van De Berg’s header as the Norwegian shone under the floodlights at Villa Park.

After starting his first game this season, Kodjia extended Villa’s lead on the counter attack. The composed Ivorian brilliantly placed the ball past Kelleher before Kodjia scored his second goal minutes later after he powerfully finished from close range into the roof of the goal.

Substitute Wesley made it 5-0 in the 92nd minute after the Brazilian accurately struck the ball into the bottom right corner, consequently meaning that the Villans were advancing to the Semi-Finals of the Carabao Cup for the first time in six years.

The reds were unlucky to lose 5-0 after dominating possession for the majority of the game as well as creating many chances however if it wasn’t for my Man of the Match, the scoreline might have been very different. Who was my Man of the Match you ask? It was Ørjan Nyland.

Nyland was superb throughout the Quarter Final, making a total of eight saves. Despite Liverpool fielding their youngest side in history, the Reds were energetic, artful and caused Villa’s defence as well as Ørjan problems with the home side’s experience prevailing as the game progressed. Young Villa blogger B6 Ben was also impressed with Nyland’s performance. “I thought he was superb last night especially as he had a point to prove after a long period out injured.”

Congratulations to Dean Smith and his squad for getting to the Semi Finals of the Carabao Cup however can they become victorious once again against Southampton on Saturday?