DOUGLAS LUIZ scored straight from a corner as Aston Villa took on Bolton in the League Cup.
Steven Gerrard’s side found themselves 1-0 down at the League One outfit when the Brazilian stepped up to take a 36th minute set p[ece.
Luiz, 24, lofted it towards the back post… and goalkeeper Joel Dixon won’t want to see it again.
The Bolton stopper completely lost the flight of the ball, allowing it to drop over his head and into the top corner.
Amazingly, this is the second time this term that Luiz has caught a goalkeeper out with an in-swinger.
During a pre-season clash with Walsall he put his side 4-0 up directly from a corner.
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Luiz’s moment of inspiration came at an opportune moment for his boss Gerrard.
The Liverpool legend has been criticised of late, with Villa having followed last season’s poor ending with an indifferent start to this campaign.
Villa did manage to edge out Everton 2-1, but this result has been sandwiched by defeats at Bournemouth and Crystal Palace.
So when Darius Charles gave Bolton the lead on 24 minutes, Gerrard may have had reason to worry.
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Gerrard selected an extremely strong starting XI for the trip to Bolton.
Goalkeeper Emi Martinez was not rotated for the clash, and played behind an experienced back four comprising of Ashley Young, Calum Chambers, Tyrone Mings and Lucas Digne.
Boubacar Kamara, John McGinn, Luiz and Philippe Coutinho formed a diamond in midfield – with Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings up front.
Ings had a superb chance to give his side the lead early in the second 45 – only for his left-footed effort to strike the post.
The 30-year-old was then brought down by Dixon in the box – dusting himself down to score the resulting spot kick.
Goals from Digne and Leon Bailey rounded off a 4-1 win and ensured a place in the third round.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
