Europa League Report: Liverpool 3-0 Villarreal 5 May 2016
Europa League Result: Liverpool 3-0 (3-1 agg) Villarreal Date: 5 May 2016 Venue: Anfield Liverpool booked their place in the Europa League final with a 3-0 victory over Villarreal on Thursday night. Sevilla Through To Another Europa League Final The Premier League outfit trailed 1-0 on aggregate heading into the second leg clash. The visitors threatened to net the opener twice in the first few minutes, but it was the Reds who took the lead in the seventh minute. Areola parried a cross towards Firmino who directed it back across goal where it deflected off of Bruno to find the back of the net for an own goal. After taking the lead the hosts continued attacking and came close when a loose ball fell for James Milner who sent a through-ball to Adam Lallana. He as able to glance a shot at goal but saw it go inches wide. On the stroke of half-time the Yellow Submarine had a chance to level matters. Dos Santos fed Bakambu in the box but he couldn't get power on the ball and it was an easy save for Simon Mignolet. In the 56th minute Villarreal had an opening again when a free kick from Dos Santos picked out Soldado, but the ex-Valencia forward was unable to direct his header on target. Liverpool took the aggregate lead in the 63rd minute as they made it 2-0. Firmino found space on the edge of the box and slid a ball through for Daniel Sturridge who beat the offside trap before slotting a low strike. The Spanish outfit's job became more difficult in the 71st minute as they were reduced to 10 men. Victor Ruiz made a reckless challenge and received his second yellow card. The hosts' passage into the final was secured in the 81st minute. Firmino created the chance as he beat a defender before sending a low cross towards Sturridge who scuffed his shot, but saw the ball fall for Lallana who finished from close range.
