Aston Villa ratings from Liverpool draw as three ‘excellent’ players score 8/10 but one 5

Aston Villa came from behind to earn a hard-fought point against Premier League title favourites Liverpool, drawing 2-2 in a Wednesday night thriller at Villa Park.

Mohamed Salah scored his 24th Premier League goal of the season to break the deadlock for Liverpool before Youri Tielemans levelled up the scoring and Ollie Watkins’ headed Villa 2-1 ahead. The hosts weren’t able to hold on, though, as Arne Slot’s side responded well at and Trent Alexander-Arnold netted a deflected strike to spoil the shares, preserving the Reds’ 100 per cent unbeaten away record.

Unai Emery’s side had the odd shaky moment but went toe-to-toe with Liverpool in an end-to-end match, a real test of nerve and stamina amongst this hectic fixture schedule. Villa had some great chances to clinch the win, too, as two goals - one turned into his own net by Virgil van Dijk and the other finished cooly by Jacob Ramsey - were ruled out for narrow offsides.

Liverpool were the team to come firing out of the blocks quickest, though, as, they zipped the ball around with intent in the opening exchanges and forced Villa into errors. John McGinn was particularly struggling as the Reds created an overload in the centre of the park, Villa’s skipper giving the ball away two or three times in quick succession. It wasn’t long before Liverpool had their first big chance, too, as Dominik Szoboszlai was played through the eye of a needle by Curtis Jones but Emi Martinez made himself big to smother the shot.

The visitors took the lead on the half-hour mark through who else but Salah, the Premier League’s top scorer smashing the ball into the roof of the net after a glaring error from Villa’s Andres Garcia. The right-back attempted to pass back to Martinez when under very little pressure but completely misjudged it, directing the ball straight to Diogo Jota who composed himself and squared to Salah for 1-0. Garcia, still so new to this Villa setup, looked absolutely devastated and had to be consoled by McGinn.

Tielemans restored parity for Villa in the 37th minute, volleying the ball into the ground and over Alisson following a failed headed clearance from Szoboszlai. It was a clever set piece routine - likely dreamed up by mastermind coach Austin MacPhee - as Asensio ran over the ball, Rashford crossed to the far post, Mings headed back into the danger area and Liverpool failed to clear.

Watkins then roared Villa Park into life on the verge of half time, heading Emery’s side into a 2-1 lead in emphatic fashion. The England international laid the ball off wide to Lucas Digne and made a superb run into the box to latch onto the end of Digne’s cross, glancing the ball into the far side netting. Liverpool, who saw Jota fluff a clear one-v-one chance just after Tielemans’ goal, looked stunned.

Rashford had a decent chance at the start of the second half as he latched onto a long ping from Digne and rounded Alisson about 25 yards out from goal. The Liverpool goalkeeper sprinted out from miles away and misjudged the situation entirely, beaten to the ball. The angle was unfavourable for Rashford, though, and Konate was able to get back to head his shot away from the goalmouth.

Alexander-Arnold fortuitously levelled up the scoring once more in the 61st minute as the right-back’s 20-yard strike looped off Tyrone Mings and over Martinez, sending the away support into a frenzy. Jota had given Villa a scare on the hour mark as he skipped away from a couple of challenges on the edge of the box and thundered the ball towards goal, skimming the top of the crossbar.

Darwin Nunez missed an absolute sitter to regain Liverpool’s lead just minutes after coming off the bench, somehow skying the ball over the bar when presented with an open goal. Szoboszlai made a great run behind and unselfishly squared to Nunez but the striker somehow blazed over from merely a few yards out. Villa had a great chance down the other end moments later but Donyell Malen - also an impact substitute - fired straight at Alisson at the near post.

Nunez was gifted another golden opportunity in the 75th minute as he dispossessed Mings and sprinted through on goal, but Martinez dashed out to come to the rescue, sliding in to deny Liverpool’s number nine. It was then all Villa as Emery’s men went on the charge for an unlikely winner – and they so nearly found it. Rogers found space just inside the box but fired over, Cash saw a deflected effort saved by Alisson and then Malen - with the last kick of the game - fizzed the ball merely centimetres wide of the far post.

Here’s how the players rated as the spoils were shared with Liverpool at Villa Park.

Player ratings

Emi Martinez - 8

Did excellently to smother Szoboszlai’s one-v-one in the first half and then made a routine stop to deny the Hungarian in the second period. Showed superb anticipation to sprint out and slide the ball away from Nunez as he ran clean through. Couldn’t do anything about either goal as Salah finished superbly and Alexander-Arnold’s shot took a huge deflection.

Andres Garcia - 5 (off 67’)

Undoubtedly at fault for the opening goal as he gave up possession on the edge of his own box, allowing Liverpool through three-on-two. It was a shame as he’d looked promising when advancing down the right, often skipping away from Roberston to swing in some good crosses.

Axel Disasi - 6

Wasn’t afraid to have a go at dribbling out from the back and found himself in some bizarre positions in the final third from doing so. Had a couple of shaky moments in the second half as Liverpool upped the ante. Booked for an elbow in the face of Mac Allister.

Tyrone Mings - 6

Made three or four huge blocks when Liverpool had spells of dominance and was imperious in the air. Struggled to hold the line at times, however, and was dispossessed far too easily ahead of Nunez’s chance. Unlucky to see Alexander-Arnold’s goal deflect off his leg.

Lucas Digne - 7 (off 76’)

Assisted Watkins’ header with a peach of a cross and fared pretty well up against Salah for the most part, albeit beaten occasionally by the winger.

John McGinn - 6 (off 86’)

Had a terrible first half an hour as he skewed three or four passes well away from his intended targets. Improved as the game progressed, though, eventually spinning away from the likes of Szoboszlai and Mac Allister.

Youri Tielemans - 8*

Netted Villa’s first goal with great composure, striking the ball into the ground to offset Alisson. Contested well with Liverpool’s packed midfield.

Morgan Rogers - 6

Struggled to make an impact out on the right flank but improved when moved centrally periodically. Looked a real threat once Rashford and Asensio had come off, weirdly as if the shackles had been lifted.

Marcus Rashford - 7 (off 67’)

Got in some great positions throughout, linked up well with Asensio and beat Alexander-Arnold for pace and skill on a couple of occasions. Went close as he had a long shot from a tight angle headed off the line. Won’t get the assist for it but whipped in a great cross ahead of Tielemans’ goal, too.

Marco Asensio - 6 (off 67’)

Occupied a pretty fluid number 10 role but was often gazumped by Liverpool’s packed midfield. Had the odd glimmer as he played one-twos with Rashford but wasn’t able to make his mark.

Ollie Watkins - 8

Scored the brilliant header to put Villa ahead, a proper striker’s finish. Kept Van Dijk and Konate occupied throughout, causing trouble with his movement.

Matty Cash - 6 (on 67’)

Looked more solid than Garcia upon his return from injury. Made one excellent crunching tackle to win the ball off Mac Allister.

Jacob Ramsey - 7 (on 67’)

Added great impetus to Villa’s attacks in the closing stages.

Donyell Malen - 7 (on 67’)

Made some brilliant runs in behind and went agonisingly close to scoring a winner right at the end, narrowly missing the far bottom corner.