Aston villa vs Liverpool, Liverpool Stay Unbeaten Away but Drop Points Against Aston Villa
Liverpool maintained their unbeaten away record in the Premier League after a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Aston Villa. Trent Alexander-Arnold scored the crucial equalizer in the second half, but the result may still feel frustrating for manager Arne Slot. His team had chances to win, especially when Darwin Núñez missed a golden opportunity to put Liverpool ahead late in the game. However, given how close Donyell Malen came to scoring a 95th-minute winner for Villa, perhaps a draw was a fair outcome.
This result could give hope to Arsenal, who are eight points behind Liverpool but have a game in hand. Liverpool started the match well and took an early lead through Mohamed Salah. But Villa responded strongly, with Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins scoring to put the home side ahead by halftime. Villa’s performance improved as the game progressed, especially after manager Unai Emery demanded more intensity from his players on the sidelines.
This result could give hope to Arsenal, who are eight points behind Liverpool but have a game in hand. Liverpool started the match well and took an early lead through Mohamed Salah. But Villa responded strongly, with Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins scoring to put the home side ahead by halftime. Villa’s performance improved as the game progressed, especially after manager Unai Emery demanded more intensity from his players on the sidelines.
Villa’s new loan signing, Marcus Rashford, made his first start for the club after joining from Manchester United. He was heavily involved in their attacking play, linking up with another debutant, Marco Asensio. Rashford thought he had assisted a goal when his cross deflected off a Liverpool defender into the net, but a VAR check ruled him offside. Despite this setback, Villa continued to push forward, with Emiliano Martínez making a crucial save to deny Dominik Szoboszlai. Lucas Digne also stopped Salah from getting through on goal.
However, a costly mistake from Villa allowed Liverpool to regain the lead. Andrés García, Villa’s new right-back, made a poor backward pass straight to Diogo Jota. The Liverpool forward quickly squared the ball to Salah, who calmly finished for his 29th goal of the season. The mistake left García disappointed, while Virgil van Dijk celebrated with a double fist-pump, showing how much the goal meant to Liverpool.
The match remained open until the final minutes, with both teams creating chances. Liverpool had opportunities to secure the win, but both Jota and Núñez missed clear chances. At the other end, Malen almost won it for Villa deep into stoppage time, but his shot went just wide. In the end, a point each seemed like a fair result, even though Liverpool will feel they could have taken all three.
The match remained open until the final minutes, with both teams creating chances. Liverpool had opportunities to secure the win, but both Jota and Núñez missed clear chances. At the other end, Malen almost won it for Villa deep into stoppage time, but his shot went just wide. In the end, a point each seemed like a fair result, even though Liverpool will feel they could have taken all three.
This draw keeps Liverpool at the top of the table, but their grip on first place is slightly weaker. Meanwhile, Villa showed they can compete with the league’s best and will take confidence from their performance. With Arsenal still in the race, the title battle is far from over.
Lineups
Aston Villa
- 23 Damian Martinez
- 16 Andres Garcia
- 3 Axel Disasi
- 5 Tyrone Mings
- 12 Lucas Digne
- 7 John McGinn
- 8 Youri Tielemans
- 27 Morgan Rogers
- 21 Marco Asensio
- 9 Marcus Rashford
- 11 Ollie WatkinsSubstitutes
- 25 Robin Olsen
- 48 Oliwier Zych
- 2 Matty Cash (s 67′)
- 17 Donyell Malen (s 67′)
- 22 Ian Maatsen (s 78′)
- 26 Lamare Bogarde (s 86′)
- 41 Jacob Ramsey (s 67′)
- 56 Jamaldeen Jimoh
Liverpool
- 1 Ramses Alisson
- 66 Trent Alexander-Arnold
- 5 Ibrahima Konate
- 4 Virgil van Dijk
- 26 Andrew Robertson
- 38 Ryan Gravenberch
- 10 Alexis Mac Allister
- 11 Mohamed Salah
- 8 Dominik Szoboszlai
- 17 Curtis Jones
- 20 Diogo JotaSubstitutes
- 62 Caoimhin Kelleher
- 3 Wataru Endo
- 7 Luis Diaz (s 80′)
- 9 Darwin Nunez (s 66′)
- 14 Federico Chiesa
- 19 Harvey Elliott
- 21 Konstantinos Tsimikas
- 78 Jarell Quansah (s 89′)
- 84 Conor Bradley (s 66′)