Aston Villa vs Liverpool LIVE: Premier League result and reaction after four-goal thriller | OneFootball

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Slot 'relieved' to get over the line against Wolves

Liverpool missed the chance to move 10 points clear at the top of the Premier League but avoided defeat as Aston Villa battled to a thrilling 2-2 draw and hand hope to title race challenges Arsenal.

The leaders were gifted the opening goal as defender Andres Garcia passed straight to Diogo Jota and the forward squared to Mohamed Salah for his 24th goal of the season.

But Arne Slot’s side did not hold their advantage for long as they failed to clear a free-kick and Youri Tielemans thrashed in a volley to draw Unai Emery’s team level.

And Liverpool switched off again as they appealed for a handball on John McGinn, only to see Ollie Watkins ghost into the box to head in on the stroke of half-time.

Ibrahima Konate was forced to clear off the line as Marcus Rashford, on his first Aston Villa start, skipped past Alisson to shoot from out wide before Liverpool drew level.

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s deflected shot beat Emi Martinez as Liverpool then chased victory, with substitute Darwin Nunez blazing a golden chance over the crossbar. At the other end, Donyell Malen flashed a low shot past the post at the death.

But Liverpool’s second away draw in a row, after the Merseyside derby, opens the door to Arsenal - who would close Liverpool’s lead to five points if they beat West Ham on Saturday.

The Darwin Nunez miss that Liverpool may regret in Premier League title race

Ten points clear with 12 games to go would have almost certainly put Liverpool, without a completely convincing title rival, on course for a second Premier League title before February is even out.

But Darwin’s gonna Darwin. Nunez has made a telling contribution to several Liverpool victories this term, but that penchant for the most calamitous misses never ceases to amaze.

The Uruguayan missed 27 big chances last term, but few as glaring as the one that could, and should, have earned Liverpool victory that had the potential to end the title race as a contest. A draw against a thrilling Aston Villa is nothing to be ashamed of. Had Mohamed Salah been on the end of Dominik Szoboszlai’s pass late on in front of the Holte End, however, you could call the open-top bus company and start concentrating on what other trophies will accompany the Premier League crown in May.

“When you put all the chances together, I am not happy with the 2-2,” said Liverpool boss Arne Slot. “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."

Pete Hall, at Villa Park 20 February 2025 08:02