Shelvey Figures In Villa Defeat

Jonjo Shelvey played for almost an hour as Liverpool Reserves crashed to a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa at Villa Park on Monday night.

The midfielder made his first appearance since early February as he continues his recovery from a knee injury, but was unable to prevent the Reds from slipping to a loss in the Midlands.

The reserves made a dominant start, but were made to pay for a succession of missed chances as Marc Albrighton put the hosts into the lead just after the half-hour mark with a well-taken volley.

Gary Gardner doubled Villa's advantage three minutes before half-time when he netted from the penalty spot after Andre Wisdom's foul on Harry Forrester in the box and the home side's No.10 headed his second of the evening shortly after the break to make it three.

Shelvey exited the action on 56 minutes just prior to Toni Silva reducing the deficit with a fine solo effort.

However, despite their best efforts, Liverpool was unable to breach Villa's defence again making it a night to forget at Villa Park.

The second string went into the game searching for their first win under the command of Pep Segura.

The Spaniard had overseen two narrow defeats and a battling mini-derby draw in his opening three matches, but his hopes of securing a maiden victory were boosted by the inclusion of first-team players Shelvey and David Ngog in the starting XI.

It was to be Shelvey's first appearance since figuring as a substitute in the senior side's 2-0 win against Stoke City on February 4 after picking up a knee injury.

There was an additional pre-match boost for Liverpool after news reached Villa Park of Chelsea's 2-0 triumph over Blackburn Rovers earlier in the day, meaning the Reds could close the gap on the Lancashire side at the top of the Barclays Premier Reserve League North to just three points with a victory.

And Segura's contingent almost made a dream start to the contest as Ngog burst beyond Nathan Baker before crossing for Tom Ince, whose close-range effort was saved by the sprawling Andy Marshall inside 30 seconds.

The Villa stopper had to be alert to keep out Shelvey's curler moments later as Liverpool quickly assumed control of the contest.

Then, on 10 minutes, Ince spurned another gilt-edged chance when the winger was sent surging through on Marshall's goal by Suso's pin-point through pass, only to see his low strike repelled by the legs of the diving 'keeper.

The best Villa could muster in the opening exchanges was a wayward volley from Moustapha Salifou that failed to concern Martin Hansen.

On 26 minutes, Ngog's swivel and strike on the edge of the box almost found the top corner but Villa were millimetres away from taking the lead soon after when a slick move between Gary Gardner and Forrester sliced open the Reds rearguard and resulted in the latter crashing a shot against the bar from 10 yards.

However, they did break the deadlock on 31 minutes. Forrester ghosted into the area to collect Ellis Deeney's reverse pass before delivering a deep cross to the back post, where the unmarked Albrighton was able to steer a first-time volley beyond the reach of Hansen.

The striker then lofted an effort onto the roof of the net as the hosts began to dictate.

And their pressure was rewarded three minutes before the break when Andre Wisdom's push on Forrester inside the box saw Villa awarded a penalty.

Gardner took responsibility and made no mistake in dispatching beyond Hansen from the spot to send the Midlanders in two goals to the good at the break.

Any hopes Liverpool had of staging a similar fight back to the one that secured a point in the recent mini derby were dealt a blow moments after the re-start when Villa extended their lead even further.

Albrighton collected possession on the right corner of the Reds' box and his delivery towards the back post made Gardner's task of heading home from close range a simple one.

But Silva reduced the arrears on 57 minutes when the Portuguese forward danced beyond two defenders before stabbing into the bottom corner.

Ngog then cannoned a strike against the legs of Baker and Silva headed over when well placed as Liverpool threatened a second goal.

With 13 minutes left on the Villa Park scoreboard, Emmanuel Mendy's cross intended for the head of Ngog rattled the frame of the goal and bounced to safety, while Suso's clever free-kick carved out a shooting chance for Ince, who struck over.

Matty Regan wasted a good chance at the death as Villa retained their two-goal advantage to seal the win.

Despite the result, Liverpool remain just six points off table-toppers Blackburn with two games in hand - though they'll require a much-improved display against Bolton next time out.