Pat Nevin
Former Everton and Scotland winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

Aston Villa hadn't had any space until just a few moments ago! A little bit of tiredness has started to creep in for Liverpool and that's the first time John McGinn has got the ball in the number 10 area where he likes it.

Alisson might be slightly disappointed there but it's Aston Villa's two best players in McGinn and Ollie Watkins getting in.

Liverpool have controlled most of this game but they haven't taken their chances.

Liverpool

Liverpool have lost their last six home Premier League matches, with Huddersfield Town the last team to lose seven in a row back in February 2019.

Prior to this season, the highest a team has finished in a top-flight season when they’ve lost six or more home games in a row is ninth, achieved by Sunderland in 1946-47.

Pat Nevin
Former Everton and Scotland winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

I think Aston Villa are waiting for a little bit of tiredness to creep into Liverpool's play and a little bit of space to open up. They will want to get the talented midfielders like Trezeguet and Bertrand Traore on the ball to run at the Liverpool defenders. As the game develops, if they can hang on in there at 0-0, they will get one or two chances.

Liverpool have been the better side but they've just lost that clinical touch. A poor Villa pass opens up a chance but Trent Alexander-Arnold's shot is charged down.

Pat Nevin
Former Everton and Scotland winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

I wouldn't say Aston Villa are cruising but they are certainly keeping Liverpool at arm's length at the moment.

Liverpool then find some of their best form, a lovely flowing move down the left sees Roberto Firmino eventually pick out Mo Salah at the far post, but he leans back and puts his shot well over the top.

Matt Cash lines up a shot from way out, the Villa right-back hits it well but it's a routine save for Alisson. Villa having a good moment as Trezeguet then hits another low shot at the Brazilian keeper.

The power still seems to lie with the player in those situations doesn't it?

Liverpool now go close, Trent Alexander-Arnold floats in a free-kick that is just over the top, onto the roof of the net. They get a corner and Diogo Jota heads that one over the bar as well.

Pat Nevin
Former Everton and Scotland winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

Now Douglas Luiz is looking 100% again! He's just sprinted back on.

Very, very strange...

Pat Nevin
Former Everton and Scotland winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

I'll be surprised if Douglas Luiz stays on the field here. He's stayed down for quite some time and he went down with no one near him.

It's noticeable that Villa cannot hold the ball without Jack Grealish in the midfield and they could miss Luiz in there if he goes off too.

Image source, Getty Images

Villa are forced into an early change. Douglas Luiz goes down off the ball with an injury and he's not able to continue so on comes midfielder Jacob Ramsey.

Luiz wants to continue actually as he comes to the sideline but the medical staff have made their mind up.

NO - Luiz carries on. Well if that was for a head injury then that wasn't the best.

Liverpool have now gone 12 hours without a home goal from open play in the Premier League.

Image source, Getty Images

Cynical from Ezri Konsa who tugs back Diogo Jota as he threatened to get away. Booked.

Pat Nevin
Former Everton and Scotland winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

Liverpool aren't giving Villa any space or time in the midfield. There are no players in that midfield or up top that can hold onto the ball just now - and that is simply very good play from Liverpool.

The question does remain though: Can Liverpool keep this up?

That has been one of the problems recently, keeping this tempo up over the 90 minutes. If they can, they will win this game.

Image source, Getty Images

Big chance, for Villa this time! Those Liverpool defensive nerves show up again as Matt Targett's free-kick finds Ezri Konsa completely free inside the area. He should probably do better than head straight at Alisson.

Garth Crooks
Former Tottenham Hotspur striker on Final Score

It’s a good contest, Villa are giving as good as they get. I’m still a bit nervy about Liverpool’s two centre-backs.

I can see why Villa have kept good clean sheets. They pack the box, they’re very compact. You can see why they’ve done so well.

Diogo Jota is in space but can't find the target. High and handsome.

Martin Keown
Former Arsenal defender on Final Score

Mo Salah should be putting that away. Tyrone Mings presented him with that opportunity and then just stopped. It seems as if the microscope is really on these players with the Euros coming up.

It’s going from end to end at the moment, but Liverpool should be controlling this.