Aston Villa 3 Liverpool 3
Unai Emery’s side faced Liverpool at Villa Park, looking to secure their qualification for next season’s Champions League. It was Jurgen Klopp’s final away game in charge of The Reds, he wanted to go out on a high note despite his side having little to play for.
The visitors started on the front foot as Salah laid the ball off to Elliott out wide. He crossed into the box but it was too close to Martinez in the Villa goal, or so it seemed. The usually reliable keeper spilled the ball and knocked it into the back of the net as he tried to rectify his poor handling.
It was the worst possible start for the hosts. One thing Liverpool haven’t looked for the majority of this season is solid as a defensive unit. Villa took advantage of this as Watkins got to the byline and cut the ball back to Tielemans who drilled his shot into the bottom corner of the goal.
Villa Park erupted as they saw this as their chance to turn the game completely on its head. However, the visitors still looked dangerous on the attack. As Gomez looked to shoot from a wide angle, his effort beat Martinez and Gakpo tapped the ball into an empty net to restore their lead.
Credit: @premierleague
Emery’s side continued to press. Konsa whipped a ball across the goal line from out wide and somehow Carlos slid in to try and score and got the slightest of touches, to take the ball away from Watkins and wide of the goal. It looked harder to miss than score.
Just before the interval Villa took advantage of The Reds’ defending once again as it was slotted into the feet of Diaby. With the goal at his mercy, time on his hands, he shot high and wide of the target when a goal seemed certain for Aston Villa.
Jurgen Klopp’s side started the second half positively. Elliott swung a teasing ball into the box and Quansah cushioned his header into the far corner as it clipped the inside of the post. It was the youngsters first ever goal in the Premier League for Liverpool.
At this point it seemed the visitors were going to win their manager’s last away game in charge. Villa thought they had found a way back into the match when Watkins slotted home from close range. VAR did their usual checks and decided there was a player offside in the build-up.
This should have served as a warning to Liverpool but their defending leads a lot to be desired. As The Reds tried to play out from the back, a poor touch from Mac Allister gifted the ball to Duran. He cut inside onto his left foot and drilled a shot into the bottom corner with Alisson beaten.
The goal stoked the fires of Villa Park and home fans believed the comeback was on. It was a cauldron of noise with only minutes left of normal time. Diaby burst through the middle and looked to thread a pass through the visitors’ defence.
Credit: @AVFCOfficial
Inadvertently, it struck the thigh of Duran and looped up over Alisson and into the bottom corner of the goal. Villa Park erupted as the comeback was complete. From two goals down, this point could prove pivotal in their securing fourth spot in the Premier League table.
By the end of the game, with the obligatory nine minutes of added time, Liverpool were fortunate to hold on for the draw. For Aston Villa, this seemed like a point gained towards their end goal. Once again Liverpool had let a lead slip when the game seemed to be in their control.
Did you enjoy this article? Please share to your social media. With one click you can help spread the word and make Solid at the Back the one-stop shop for all Premier League fans.