Aston Villa’s return to Premier League action fell short of the anticipation that built up before it, as Unai Emery’s side suffered a 3-1 home defeat to Liverpool on Boxing Day. It was an exciting end-to-end clash, but Jurgen Klopp’s team were too strong on the counter attack and were clinical enough to come out on top.
It didn’t take long for an opener, as Liverpool countered after an early Ollie Watkins half chance. A Reds corner was cleared only as far as Trent Alexander-Arnold, who played a wonderful outside-of-the-boot through ball to Andrew Robertson. The left-back cushioned the ball down to Mohamed Salah, who was clinical to put it past Robin Olsen.
Villa responded well to Liverpool’s early strike, with two decent opportunities carved out before the 10-minute mark. The first, albeit offside, came through a well-weighted dink from John McGinn as Watkins fired straight at Alisson. Leon Bailey made himself some space and stung the Brazilian’s gloves again soon after but to no avail.
The Jamaican had a second opportunity in the 14th minute as Lucas Digne cut the ball back, but he was unable to keep his effort down. Yet another chance followed, this time for Watkins who came diving in to reach a deep cross from McGinn. The forward didn’t quite get enough of a connection on the ball, much to the relief of Alisson.
In the 25th minute, Emi Buendia opened up some space for Digne, who couldn’t quite the get ball out of his feet deep in the Liverpool penalty area. Klopp’s side played a quick ball over the top in response, and it was Nunez who let the ball drop over his shoulder before firing first time at Olsen. Ezri Konsa should have done better to stop the chance.
Villa displayed some decent skill through the likes of Bailey and Buendia, but Liverpool were relentless on the counter with lofted through balls in behind. The Reds doubled their lead before half time as van Dijk was the quickest to react to a deflected corner. His effort, also deflected, made its way into the far side netting.
The Lions looked like a different team immediately after the break as two big chances came in quick succession. Watkins made it through one-on-one and slotted the ball into the bottom corner just 45 seconds into the half, but it was disallowed for offside. McGinn then squandered a golden chance at the far post, mistiming a header.
Villa’s early second half pressure paid off in the 59th minute as Watkins finally got his goal, heading in across goal and completely wrong-footing Alisson. It was a delightful ball in from Douglas Luiz, who had been fairly quiet before that. The Holte End was fired up by the goal, but it sucked the energy out of the game afterward as Liverpool sured up defensively.
Most of the ball was deep in the Reds’ half throughout the second half but a lot of Villa’s build-up play was in front of Liverpool rather than beyond their back line. It was in fact the visitors who grabbed the next goal, as substitute Stefan Bajcetic rounded Olsen and put the ball through Mings’ legs at the near post.
The hosts’ own changes perhaps came too late as Emery brought on Philippe Coutinho, Leander Dendoncker and Danny Ings in the 85th minute. All three were unable to make much of a difference, and the game finished 3-1 to Liverpool. Here are our Villa player ratings from the defeat - including two 4/10s and one 8/10.
1. Robin Olsen - 5
Made two big saves - the first to deny Nunez in the first half, and another to smother Salah’s one-on-one effort. Poor distribution throughout, though, and didn’t command his area well at all.
2. Lucas Digne - 7
Did well up against Salah for the most part and was able to get into advanced positions. Created a few big opportunities, especially at the start of the second half.
3. Ezri Konsa - 5
Real mixed bag. Made some great last-ditch blocks and tackles but was clearly at fault to scuff the ball through to Nunez, who was handed a clear-cut opportunity in the first half.
4. Tyrone Mings - 4
Did well to guide an offside trap, but on the flip side, Nunez was allowed through on multiple occasions. Just like Olsen, was at fault for Liverpool’s third, as he failed to close the angle for Bajcetic and was nutmegged.