Salah pounces after Villa give ball away; Tielemans levels & Watkins nods hosts in front; Alexander-Arnold's deflected effort makes it 2-2
Liverpool move eight points clear of second-placed Arsenal having played one game more
Aston Villa stay ninth, five points off top four
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FT: Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool
And breathe! That's all from us tonight after yet another gripping Premier League match.
Liverpool move eight points clear at the summit while Aston Villa inch closer to a Champions League spot.
Join us again on Friday as we'll have Leicester v Brentford coming you way. See you then!
FT: Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool
Liverpool manager Arne Slot speaking to TNT Sports: "Not so happy, to be honest. We created far more chances than them and created chances to win. But we also conceded from a set piece.
"If you are 1-0 down it is far from easy. Their second chance was a goal, was a cross, but they may have won it in the final moments but when you put all the chances together, I am not happy with the 2-2.
"They lost a very good striker but brought in two new ones in the winter break. It is a difficult one because of the team they have the support they have from the fans. We were close to playing a very, very good game.
"The pressure is always on you if you are Liverpool. It matters where we are in the league table but the pressure is always on if you are Liverpool. We have all the ingredients to achieve success this season. There have been a lot of games this season where I have felt if one team deserved to win it was us.
"You have to play the game as it unfolds and some games play long ball and others want to bring it out from the back. They can come back but if you look at the chances we had to win the game, you can understand that there is one person in the dressing room that feels quite down. I think you know who it is.
"Jota played as a nine and was involved in a lot of good moments and the first goal. Dom Szoboszlai is in my opinion so important for the team for all the work rate he puts in but also he could have had an assist and a goal. For months, Jota almost hasn't been available. He could only play 60 today, same as Trent and that is why we had to make those substitutions. I would love to keep them in the team but we have to play Sunday and Wednesday again and you saw with Conor Bradley how much of a risk it is. But Jota and Trent played good games."
On Conor Bradley's injury, is there an update? "Not that much, although it happened in the sprint. You never know but if a player goes out, it is never a good sign."
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As a Liverpool fan I’m very pleased with a draw. An 8 point lead is better than a 7 point lead. Both teams were playing well and Villa are a tough team to play. If anything a draw is worse for them than us.
Jack
FT: Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool
Another game, another goal and assist for Mohamed Salah. It's now 24 Premier League goals and 15 assists for the Liverpool man. Incredible numbers.
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "I think it is fair, the result for both teams. They had chances and we had chances to win but over 90 minutes, the balance in the moment we scored two goals but they always threatened in behind and scored two goals. We were competing very well but we are not happy with just one result like Liverpool. We want to beat them and try and improve and get better.
"They play good and are fantastic. It is another step forward. We tried to compete in our style and they played good.
"We are conceding more goals than normal and we have to correct it and work it. We want to win and when we are winning despite conceding goals it doesn't matter but when we are not winning we have to concede less goals. We are working to improve every day.
"We compete very well with our style. We needed to deal with their threat when they were competing too. Today I think the result was fair and I think it was a good result after how we played."
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I think that the Jota and TAA subs are more to do with advice from the medical team than tactical. Both have just returned from injury and these games are intense.
Keith
FT: Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool
Liverpool manager Arne Slot speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "It was a great game. Going in 2-1 down at half-time didn't feel like the game went for us like that but I was disappointed. We came out in the second half and scored 2-2 and had some good chances to make it 3-2 and then we could even have lost it. It was a great game but I am not happy with the result.
"I felt we defended well but I can't come up with a lot of Villa chances. You need to have a neutral set-piece balance or positive and we conceded one and did not score one. We scored two good goals and created enough chances to get the winner.
"We played Wolves away and beat them 2-1 and in the final minutes, it was tough for us as well. These players are used to this and are used to playing for trophies. Today we played very well but that also has to do with the style of play of the other team.
"Every team has to play every team twice and this week is Villa away and City away but again we did not lose. We desired more and that is the only thing we can blame ourselves for a few times now we did not get what we deserved. We must not make a habit of that."
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery speaking to TNT Sports: "Good evening. You have to wait your moment to attack and get chances like we had. We did. We were more or less competing well and we came back in the first half. When you are winning like that, it's Liverpool and they can score like they did. We came close to scoring in the final minute. We had more options to win in the final 20 minutes.
On errors leading to the goal: "I see everything and I am trying to get the best. We are taking some risk and avoiding it a lot of the time. Today they scored but we are not changing and will work to improve."
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool
Time for some reaction from both Unai Emery and Arne Slot.
FT: Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool
And here's how the table looks after that thriller.
Have Liverpool opened the door for Arsenal or is that eight-point gap too large?
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If Liverpool beat City, it's four points out of six this week, and that's an absolute result. Arsenal are going to drop points too, it's about who blinks first under the pressure. It only really matters from April, there's only one premier league game in March!
Craig
FT: Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins speaking to TNT Sports: "It was a tough game. They are at the top of the league for a reason. We have a strong record here and always make it hard for teams. Even though we went behind we reacted well and could have nicked it at the end.
"Unai Emery is really demanding of us and we haven't been performing as well of late so he will be happy with that performance.
"It is nice playing with quality players and I am sure in the future games I will get more opportunities. They haven't had that long to show what they can do and they are still finding their feet. When they get a few games under their belt I am sure it will flow and connect together nicely.
"Any team we play, we want to win the game and we will focus on ourselves and see where we are come the end of the season."
Image source, ReutersFT: Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool
Liverpool are undefeated in their last 22 games in the Premier League, their last longer unbeaten streak was from 12 January 2019 to 24 February 2020, a run of 44 games.
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Another big point away from home at Villa. Not sure what people expect, but these are tough games and Liverpool keep picking up points and putting pressure on Arsenal.
Keith
FT: Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk speaking to TNT Sports: "A bit disappointed but we fight. We had chances to win the game, took a bit of a risk at the end so it got more open at times. We take a point and move on and focus on a big one at the weekend, again.
"In possession we did quite well, created good opportunities to score the second. Disappointing to concede from a set-piece. We tried everything and unfortunately it wasn't enough for three points.
"We should have scored 3-2, but credit to Aston Villa, they made it very difficult. We have a very tough one on the weekend again, then we play Newcastle, our focus now will be on Man City, a very difficult game, we know that. Do everything in your power to win games, the focus will be that on Sunday again."
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool
Let's hear from Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, shall we?
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Brilliant game to watch as a neutral. Shame I'm not one. Fair result? Yeah, I think so.
Gary, Villa fan
FT: Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool
Full credit to Aston Villa, they gave as good as they got and came within inches of snatching the three points right at the end.
What a game!
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I don’t quite understand today’s substitutions. We were in the ascendancy, and then Jota went off and Nunez came on, and it felt like we lost half of our momentum. Frustrating.
Ali
Image source, ReutersFT: Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool
Liverpool fans, happy with that?
Trent Alexander-Arnold earned Liverpool a point at Aston Villa
Liverpool moved eight points clear at the top of the Premier League after being held to a gripping draw at Aston Villa.
The Reds have not lost in the Premier League since being beaten 1-0 by Nottingham Forest at Anfield in September, but were almost undone by sloppy defending and a lack of cutting edge.
Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins cancelled out Mohamed Salah's 29th-minute opener, before Trent Alexander-Arnold levelled 16 minutes after the break.
Having extended their lead over second-placed Arsenal, Arne Slot's side go to Manchester City on Sunday in what could now be a defining week in the title race.
The Gunners host West Ham on Saturday knowing victory, and a defeat for Liverpool at Etihad Stadium, would put them within striking distance of the leaders with a game in hand.
Villa, with Marcus Rashford starting for the first time, remain in ninth place and five points adrift of the top four.
Rashford was bright for the hosts and his cross was turned into his own net by Virgil van Dijk after 17 minutes, only for the forward to be correctly ruled offside.
Salah then miscued a header, but he was on hand to open the scoring from Diogo Jota's centre when Andres Garcia's awful pass gifted the Portuguese forward the ball.
Yet the lead lasted just nine minutes when Tielemans struck after the visitors failed to clear Rashford's free-kick. After Jota wasted a fine chance, Watkins nodded Villa ahead in first-half injury time following a fine Lucas Digne cross.
Liverpool hit back, though, with Jota hitting the bar before Salah teed up Alexander-Arnold for a deflected low effort that beat Emi Martinez.
Substitute Darwin Nunez missed a golden chance to win it when he blazed over from five yards with 21 minutes left, while Villa's Jacob Ramsey had a goal disallowed for offside.
Asensio and Rashford 'adapting fantastically' - Emery on new signings
All eyes were going to be on Rashford as he made his first start for Villa following his loan arrival from Manchester United.
He had not started a game for over two months - since United's 2-1 Europa League win at Viktoria Plzen - and has just completed four games this season.
But the forward was central to Villa's best moments in the first half, his cross deflecting off Van Dijk, only for the offside flag to curtail the celebrations.
Rashford was a willing runner, prepared to track back, make tackles and has settled well at Villa. It was only to be expected to see him substituted midway through the second half as he regains match fitness.
It has been a nervous time for him, coming to a new club when all he has known in his football career is Old Trafford and United's Carrington training ground, but he has made a good first impression at Villa's Bodymoor Heath base.
There is clearly a willingness and desire from Rashford to put the past behind him after his struggles on and off the pitch at United and he can only do that by performing for Unai Emery's men.
He has done that in his opening three appearances for the club and, with Villa having a £40m option to buy the England forward, could have found a happier home.
'I'm not happy with the result!' - Slot rues missed chances against Villa
The records just keep coming for Salah.
The Egypt international now has 39 goal involvements in the Premier League this season, netting 24 times and assisting 15, having opened the scoring and set up Alexander-Arnold's leveller at Villa Park.
In the league, 11 teams have scored 38 goals or less - including Villa - leaving Salah in a class of his own this season.
He has also become just the fifth player with more than 15 goals and 15 assists in a Premier League season, along with Eric Cantona, Matt le Tissier, Thierry Henry and Eden Hazard.
The forward is the first player Premier League history to score and assist in 10 different games in one season. Salah is also the first player to do so in one of Europe's big-five leagues since Lionel Messi in 2014-15 for Barcelona (11).
If his team-mates, especially Nunez, had his quality or composure then Liverpool would have taken a battling victory at Villa Park.
His stellar season comes amid the backdrop of his contract situation at Anfield, with Salah entering the final few months of his current deal - and he is proving his weight in gold this season.
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 26 | 18 | 7 | 1 | 62 | 26 | 36 | 61 |
| |
| 2 | 25 | 15 | 8 | 2 | 51 | 22 | 29 | 53 |
| |
| 3 | 25 | 14 | 5 | 6 | 41 | 29 | 12 | 47 |
| |
| 4 | 25 | 13 | 5 | 7 | 52 | 35 | 17 | 44 |
| |
| 5 | 25 | 12 | 7 | 6 | 44 | 29 | 15 | 43 |
| |
| 6 | 25 | 12 | 7 | 6 | 47 | 34 | 13 | 43 |
| |
| 7 | 25 | 12 | 5 | 8 | 42 | 33 | 9 | 41 |
| |
| 8 | 25 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 38 | 33 | 5 | 39 |
| |
| 9 | 26 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 37 | 40 | -3 | 39 |
| |
| 10 | 25 | 9 | 10 | 6 | 38 | 38 | 0 | 37 |
| |
| 11 | 25 | 10 | 4 | 11 | 43 | 42 | 1 | 34 |
| |
| 12 | 25 | 9 | 3 | 13 | 49 | 37 | 12 | 30 |
| |
| 13 | 25 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 29 | 32 | -3 | 30 |
| |
| 14 | 25 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 27 | 31 | -4 | 30 |
| |
| 15 | 25 | 8 | 5 | 12 | 28 | 35 | -7 | 29 |
| |
| 16 | 25 | 7 | 6 | 12 | 29 | 47 | -18 | 27 |
| |
| 17 | 25 | 5 | 4 | 16 | 35 | 54 | -19 | 19 |
| |
| 18 | 25 | 3 | 8 | 14 | 23 | 50 | -27 | 17 |
| |
| 19 | 25 | 4 | 5 | 16 | 25 | 55 | -30 | 17 |
| |
| 20 | 25 | 2 | 3 | 20 | 19 | 57 | -38 | 9 |
|
Manager: Unai Emery
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Arne Slot
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Unai Emery
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Arne Slot
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
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Aston Villa have won just one of their last 14 Premier League games against Liverpool (D2 L11), a 7-2 victory at Villa Park in October 2020.
This exact fixture finished 3-3 last season – Liverpool haven’t failed to win consecutive away league games against Aston Villa since December 2004.
The last seven Premier League meetings between Aston Villa and Liverpool at Villa Park have produced a total of 33 goals, an average of 4.7 per game. Liverpool have scored at least twice in all seven of these games (20 goals in total).
Aston Villa have lost six of their last seven Premier League games against sides starting the day top of the table; the exception, however, was their last such home game, beating Arsenal 1-0 in December 2023. They have never won back-to-back home meetings with league leaders in the competition before.
Liverpool remain the only side yet to lose away from home in the Premier League this season in 13 matches (W9 D4). In English top-flight history, on only five occasions has a side avoided defeat in their first 14+ matches on the road from the start of a campaign: Leeds United in 1973-74 (15), Liverpool in 1987-88 (15), Arsenal in 2001-02 (19), Arsenal in 2003-04 (19), and Manchester United in 2020-21 (19).
Liverpool are yet to lose a Premier League away game under Arne Slot, with his 13 games (W9 D4) the outright longest unbeaten start on the road by any manager in the competition’s history, surpassing the record set by John Gregory with Aston Villa of 12 games from March to November 1998.
Aston Villa’s Unai Emery has won just one of his 12 meetings with Liverpool in all competitions (D4 L7), winning the 2016 UEFA Europa League final 3-1 with Sevilla. Among opponents he has faced 5+ times in his managerial career, that win rate of 8% against Liverpool is his lowest.
Only against Brighton (7) and Arsenal (6) has Ollie Watkins scored more goals in the Premier League than he has against Liverpool (5). However, after scoring five goals in his first five league appearances against the Reds, the striker has since failed to score in his last four against them.
With 14 goals and nine assists in Liverpool’s 13 away games in the Premier League this season, Mo Salah has the most ever goal involvements by a player away from home in a single campaign in the competition (23). He is also one assist away from becoming only the third player to assist 10+ goals in away games in a Premier League season, after Muzzy Izzet in 2003-04 (10) and Cesc Fàbregas in 2014-15 (11).
Aston Villa’s Marcus Rashford scored five goals in eight home Premier League appearances against Liverpool for Manchester United – his most home goals against any side in the competition. Indeed, excluding penalties, the only players with more home Premier League goals against Liverpool are Sergio Agüero (7), Thierry Henry (6), and Jamie Vardy (6).
