New- look Villa eye Di Matteo
nightmares. Sevilla’s fans had unfurled a banner declaring, ‘ The Champion Is Here’ and their refusal to surrender was showcased inside 18 seconds.
Kevin Gameiro displayed a poacher’s instincts after Ferreira’s low centre reached him in the six yard box.
The only Liverpool player to touch the ball between the kick- off and Simon Mignolet retrieving it from the back of his goal was Alberto Moreno, whose clearing header fell for Ferreira who then tore beyond the left- back.
Had Kolo Toure not snaked out his leg to block Gameiro after he was sent scampering clear moments later, or Mignolet denied the Frenchman from close range after Steven N’Zonzi fl icked on a long throw- in, the turnaround would have been catastrophic. Yet before they could game was gone.
Vitolo was involved in a move three times in the 64th minute before Coke intervened and swept the ball home. The Sevilla captain then added a second after Coutinho had inadvertently diverted the ball into his path. Liverpool raged he was offside, but the touch to him was crucial. And so while Liverpool may have arrived in the perfect moment, they departed downbeat.
LIVERPOOL Booked: SEVILLA
( 4- 2- 3- 1):
( 4- 2- 3- 1):
regroup,
Goal:
Booked: Goals:
the
SWISS MISS: Sturridge fails to get a second goal in Basle choice to take over from caretaker manager Eric Black.
Former Leicester boss Nigel Pearson remains an alternative option to Di Matteo after meeting with outgoing chairman Steve Hollis.
Damien Comolli, the former Liverpool and Tottenham technical director, is expected to join Villa in a similar role, with ex- Everton chief executive Keith Wyness also part of the takeover.
Xia owns the Recon Group, who have fi ve publicly listed companies on the Hong Kong and Chinese stock exchanges and many other private companies, employing 35,000 people in 75 different countries.
A club statement read: “Dr Xia will become chairman of Aston Villa. The club will announce the appointment of a new manager shortly.
“Randy Lerner has sought the right new owner for Aston Villa who would take great care of the club and restore their fortunes. He believes that Tony Xia is an excellent choice.
“He plans to make Aston Villa the most famous football club in China with a huge fan base.”