Five talking points: Aston Villa vs Liverpool

Kolo Toure has been immense

Christian Benteke (left) of Aston Villa is challenged by Kolo Toure of Liverpool

Of all the signings Liverpool have made this off season, few would have predicted that Kolo Toure would become such an integral part of the team. 32 years old and signed as a free agent from Manchester City, Toure has slotted perfectly with Agger in the heart of the Liverpool defense. Against Villa Toure was immense taking on Benteke and only giving him one clear cut chance on goal. Brendan had earlier spoken of how Kolo is a leader and how they required more strong heads in the team. Apart from his leadership skills, Kolo is no slouch and can out jump the best headers of the ball out there. Brendan might have made one of the cheekiest signings this season.

Solidity at the back wins games

Two games gone, two wins, two goals scored, none conceded and six points on the board. A perfect start to the season if only a few more goals would have been scored. Liverpool fans should be happy with the performance of the team so far. They now seem to have some solidity and steel in the defence, so even if they haven’t scored goals like Barcelona they have been really strong in their defending. In both the games they had to deal with late attacking charges and they were dealt with ease by the Liverpool back 5. Simon Mignolet seems to be a really good replacement for Reina as he was able to keep out a ferocious drive from Benteke. The back four of Liverpool also seem more stable and less prone to costly errors, Gerrard playing a deeper role this season with Lucas seem to be cutting out any threat that the opposition might pose. A strong back line is the first step to making a team better, Brendan may have learned from last season, its just two games in but that is as good a start as you can expect.

Style, style and style

The way these two teams play is certainly a positive step for the league. Hoofing the ball high up the field and hoping for the striker to bully the defence for a chance is not the style of play anymore. Teams are now looking to break down their opposition, Liverpool at one point in the first half had 70 per cent possession trying to break down a resolute Villa side. They moved forward and if they could not break through they passed back, slowed the game and started again. Not the rough and tumble, blood and thunder style of football quite a few of us would have been used to seeing. This kind of game helps the more technical players, Benteke, Coutinho, Weimann, Delph to name a few, apart from Benteke none of the other players are big broodish lads who could knock a grown man in a bar, not that they need to. Technical play is needed in England, this may not lead to another Barcelona but certainly it would help the style of football being played here.