Aston Villa battled to secure a 2-2 draw with Liverpool on Wednesday night with Unai Emery able to take away plenty of positives.
The visitors took the lead after half an hour through Mohamed Salah after they pounced on a mistake from Andres Garcia, but Villa produced a great response as goals from Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins put us ahead at half-time.
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However, the Premier League leaders grabbed the momentum back on the hour mark as they equalised through a deflected effort from Trent Alexander-Arnold, but to Villa’s credit, we responded well again after conceding.
Both sides had chances as we certainly had some big opportunities to win the game, but it’s a positive point after an improved performance, and hopefully that will help us raise our levels in the coming weeks with some vital games ahead.
Aston Villa player ratings vs Liverpool:
Emiliano Martinez, 7 – Couldn’t have done much more to prevent the goals, but he made some crucial interventions throughout the game, most notably his sliding tackle to deny Nunez in the latter stages. Made some decisive contributions to keep our hopes of winning the game alive.
Andres Garcia, 6.5 – Will be disappointed with his costly error that led to the first goal, but importantly he recovered well. Impressed again with his ability to give us another option and way to build out from the back in a wider area, showed good intent bursting forward too. Needs to work on defensive side of his game still.
Axel Disasi, 7 – Decent shift as he imposed himself well defensively and showed good composure in possession to build our play. We continue to look vulnerable defensively as a unit though, and it’s an area in which we must still improve.
Tyrone Mings, 7 – Not a perfect outing as he was caught out at times and got himself into trouble, but he’s an important presence at the back to snuff out danger more often than not. Unfortunate for the second goal which was deflected in, while he made an important contribution at the other end to keep the ball alive for our equaliser.
Lucas Digne, 7 – Contained Salah really effectively for the most part, but had one rash moment where he slid in as Liverpool went on to score their equaliser from that move. Top delivery to provide an assist for Watkins before being replaced in latter stages.
John McGinn, 7 – Nervy start from the Villa skipper as he played some wayward passes as we tried to play out from the back, but he settled after that and started to impose himself on the game more effectively. Worked tirelessly to give us a foundation and control in the midfield battle.
Youri Tielemans, 8 – Classy as ever, the Belgian midfielder not only got on the scoresheet, but he was key in linking our play together and adding rhythm to our build-up play. Another top display from our midfield orchestrator.
Marco Asensio, 6.5 – Showed promise with his touch, vision and passing as he linked things together well while finding pockets of space, but just couldn’t produce that decisive touch in the final third to really make a difference.
Morgan Rogers, 7 – Similar to Asensio in that he couldn’t find a decisive end product, but he showed his versatility to roam and provide us with a threat with his driving and powerful runs into the final third. Looked dangerous, but couldn’t quite make it count in this one.
Marcus Rashford, 7 – Worked hard and showed positive intent on the ball, and those are really encouraging signs as he continues to make a positive impression. Still lacking that final piece in front of goal to make a key contribution, but he’s added a crucial dynamic to our attacking play and will hopefully break his duck in a Villa shirt soon.
Ollie Watkins, 7 – Showed brilliant movement and finishing to put us ahead as he continues to deliver. Had a really difficult task leading the line against Liverpool’s commanding centre-halves, but worked tirelessly and gave us a focal point up top at times.
Substitutes:
Matty Cash, 6 – Made a positive impact in the latter stages with his freshness and intent to get forward and provide width down the right flank. Will face a battle displacing Garcia though.
Donyell Malen, 6.5 – Gave us a renewed sense of attacking threat as he picked up dangerous positions and almost won it at the end with an effort that trickled just wide of the post.
Jacob Ramsey, 6 – Similarly to Malen, he added a fresh wave of attacking threat for us with his ability to find space and either create or provide a direct threat. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find that winning touch.
Ian Maatsen, N/A
Lamare Bogarde, N/A