Live BLOG Premier League Matchweek 25 - Wednesday Alex Smith & Will Murray

LIVE: ASTON VILLA 0-1 LIVERPOOL

SALAH capitalises on GARCIA error

REDS 10 points clear at TOP as it stands

RASHFORD and ASENSIO make first VILLA starts

Updates as MAN CITY face REAL in UCL

Email: matchdaylive@premierleague.com

Day

Wednesday

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01:33

STAT - Take him anywhere

Mo Salah is the first Liverpool player to score 15 away Premier League goals in a season, breaking Luis Suárez's record of 14 in 2013/14.

01:32

Aston Villa 0-1 Liverpool (33 mins)

One shot on target, one goal. That has set the Liverpool fans off. They are bellowing out their "Allez, Allez, Allez" chant.

01:32

NOTHING EASIER THAN THAT - Salah gladly receives present

Salah

01:31

STAT - A worrisome stat for Villa

Liverpool have a record of W16, D0, L0 when scoring the opening goal in the Premier League this season.

01:30

Premier League pundit Andy Townsend:

"[Garcia] knew, as soon as he gave that away he put his head in his hands. He's given it to Jota totally unmarked who strides into the box and picks his mate out. Mo Salah scores great goals, he won't get much easier than this one. The main man ain't gonna miss that, no chance."

01:29

GOAL! Aston Villa 0-1 Liverpool (SALAH, 29 mins)

Oh dear. Oh dear, oh dear. Andres Garcia with some Chuckle Brother-like passing. He threads a perfect through-ball for Diogo Jota (who isn't his team-mate), who tees up Mo Salah. That is 24 PL goals for Salah now this season, as Garcia gets consoled by his team-mates.

01:28

JOTA GET THROUGH THIS - Forward leads line against resilient defence

Diogo Jota, Liverpool FC

01:26

Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool (26 mins)

We might not have had a shot or target yet, but that hasn't stopped this match from oozing class. Diogo Jota thinks he is about to end that stat but John McGinn taps the ball from his toe. Mo Salah then loops a header wide with a very weird technique.

01:23

Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool (22 mins)

Andres Garcia has been a menace on the Villa right. This time he gets the better of Curtis Jones to win a corner. Before the short corner can get to the middle, play is stopped with Alexis Mac Allister on the floor. He has tangled with Axel Disasi - who is the night's first recipient of a yellow card.

01:23

Premier League pundit Andy Townsend:

"It's in these situations here, can Villa look for a big switch to get Rashford in with a bit of time one-on-one against Trent? I think if they play two or three short passes on this right side and get it to Tielemans or McGinn, look for that big switch. It's what Liverpool do so well with Salah."

01:21

VILLA ALMOST AHEAD - But just offside!

Marcus Rashford, Aston Villa

01:19

Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool (19 mins)

Curtis Jones looks like he is going to be clean through for a moment but Tyrone Mings nips in to kill off the danger. Moments later, Diogo Jota tries for the spectacular with an angled ball over his shoulder, but he can't get the technique right and the ball bobbles harmlessly wide.

01:19

Premier League pundit Andy Townsend:

"That's what [Marcus Rashford] brings to the party in that area when he runs at people, that's what he does really well."

01:18

Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool (17 mins)

Ollie Watkins has the ball in the net but the offside flag goes up immediately. What we did see there was some of the best attacking players in the world playing breathless attacking football. Marcus Rashford was at the centre of it. He as also the guilty man who brought the flag.

01:17

CHANGING THE NARRATIVE - Villa finding their feet

Morgan Rogers, Aston Villa FC

01:14

Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool (13 mins)

Since that six minutes of one-way traffic, Villa have dominated and found their rhythm nicely. Alisson has to batter away a Andres Garcia cross and then Axel Disasi wins a corner. It is taken short and once it does make the box, Alisson catches with ease.

01:12

STAT - In your face start

Liverpool had three shots in the opening six minutes of today's game, their joint-most in the first six minutes of a Premier League game this season (also 3 vs Nottingham Forest in January).

01:10

SHARED GOALS - A committed team showing so far

Liverpool FC

01:09

Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool (9 mins)

Villa are finally seeing the ball not within 20 yards of their goal. Some nice passing but nothing incisive yet.

01:07

Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool (5 mins)

You get the sense Liverpool are right on it tonight. Alexis Mac Allister's two deliveries into the box need expert defending to deal with them. The clearance lands for Trent Alexander-Arnold to slide Mo Salah in behind. The Egyptian cuts back to Diogo Jota, whose shot is blocked out.

Another poor Villa pass later and Liverpool have ANOTHER chance...but Jota's head is like a Toblerone and squirts off the wrong edge and well wide.

01:06

Premier League pundit Andy Townsend:

"Tyrone Mings and Axel Disasi are already been asked some pretty serious questions. That examination of the Villa back line is going to continue. They'll have to make sure they're together and fully focused."

01:04

CONTROLLED START - Liverpool dominate early proceedings

Jones

01:04

Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool (4 mins)

Phwoar Trent Alexander-Arnold. That is a very attractive stabbed through ball after a quickly played corner. Virgil van Dijk meets it but blazes over. Villa are then careless to give away a second corner in a row.

01:03

Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool (2 mins)

You look at that Villa starting XI and think, where do all those attackers fit in? Well their early press suggests that Marco Asensio will partner Ollie Watkins up front, with Marcus Rashford, John McGinn and Morgan Rogers playing just behind them.

We haven't seen anything of them yet though as Liverpool have kept all the possession of the ball - in fact Villa's only touch has been Andres Garcia taking a cross to his groin region.

01:02

Premier League pundit Andy Townsend:

“Two exciting additions to the squad and they get a chance from the start tonight. They’ve been sharp and bright in the minutes they’ve had up to now. They’ve got to get going from the first whistle and lift everybody inside the stadium.”

01:00

KICK-OFF Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool

After a light show, fireworks, plenty of other pyrotechnics and a blast of Crazy Train we are ready to get under way at a mild, if currently smoky, Villa Park. All aboard!

00:59

READY TO GO - Kick-off is just around the corner ⚽️

Liverpool warm-up

00:58

From The Scout:

Mohamed Salah (£13.7m) is only 10 points behind Steven Gerrard as Liverpool’s highest-scoring player in Fantasy. The Egyptian has amassed 2,034 points over his career compared to Gerrard’s 2,044.

00:56

Aston Villa’s injured midfielder Amadou Onana:

"I am definitely having a bit of FOMO and it has been really fun watching them. I think it has been really fun competing for places in this team and it is a joy to watch."

On Villa’s European push: "When you look at this team on paper we can do it. We need to stay consistent and try and win as many games as we can. With the squad we have, I am sure we can make it happen. You speak about it within the team because everyone wants to do well and win. We don't put pressure on ourselves and just want to enjoy it."

00:54

Great Scot

Liverpool’s Andy Robertson is making his 300th Premier League appearance today (57 for Hull, 243 for Liverpool). He’s the seventh Scottish player to reach this total and first since James McArthur in August 2021, while he's the first to hit this total as a Liverpool player since Gary McAllister in May 2001.

00:52

ASCENDING ASENSIO - The former Real forward starts in the PL for the first time

Marco Asensio, Villa

00:50

From The Scout:

Marcus Rashford (£6.6m) has averaged 6.3 points per home match versus Liverpool, notching five goals and nine bonus points. He starts his first home match against the Reds not at Old Trafford.

00:48

Premier League pundit Andy Townsend:

On Rashford and Asensio: “It is bold but they have both been really bright, they have looked sharp and ready for what Emery is building. I can’t think of anyone, maybe Liverpool, who have a better array of forward players. They have some great options up front.

“If they are going to push for Champions League places they need a goal threat, which they haven’t always had this season - they’ve found it tough to break teams down. With those news boys the signs are good.”

00:46

Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery:

"We have players injured and today we have those centre-backs and hopefully they can connect and both be successful. They have strong qualities as defensive players and then we will try to play with personality and control possession.

"It is a really huge challenge and I want to watch how we respond against Liverpool, the best in the world. Today the challenge is really on the pitch."

00:44

BIG PLAYER? Virg certainly lives up to the name tag 🏷️

Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool FC

Soccer Football - Premier League - Aston Villa v Liverpool - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - February 19, 2025 Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk during the warm up before the match Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR 'LIVE' SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 120 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE FOR FURTHER DETAILS..

00:42

Premier League pundit Tim Sherwood:

“What Slot has done is got the best players - in Salah and Van Dijk - and made them happy. I thought it was the beginning of the end when Klopp had a row on the side of London Stadium with Salah, I thought that was the end of Salah but he is smiling, joking, scoring goals and assisting now. The key to being a top manager is getting the best out of the group, and he is doing that.”

00:40

Slot (points) machine

Liverpool are yet to lose a Premier League away match under Arne Slot, with his 13 matches (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 matches from March to November 1998.

00:38

Liverpool manager Arne Slot:

On Villa's threat: "We faced that against Wolves and we are facing that tonight, again, with some great individual players. It is an evening game at Villa Park which is a difficult one and the only thing we need to do is compete and bring our level too.

"These are two teams with a lot of threat so there needs to be a lot of work rate too, to make sure the other team doesn't score."

00:36

SAL-ACIOUS - Salah will be licking his lips for more goals

Mo Salah, Liverpool

00:34

Premier League pundit Tim Sherwood:

“Liverpool are chasing the title, they have been fantastic and only lost one match all season. It is going to be a huge game. Mikel Arteta and the Arsenal fans will be tuning into this one.

“If Liverpool are to slip up it will be in the next three games starting with this one. We know how difficult Villa can be. Everyone needs Liverpool to have an off-day to keep the title race alive. I wouldn’t rule out Villa making the surprise tonight."

00:32

Rashford isn’t the only player who likes facing Liverpool

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.

00:30

Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate:

“It will be so hard but today we have to be focused. We know the quality of this team. We don't have a lot of rest but this is the Premier League.

“It is not only about their attacking players. They have a very good team and it will be tough for us."

00:28

THE BEATING PART - Mings back in the heart of the defence

Tyrone Mings, Aston Villa FC

00:26

Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings:

"We are looking forward to it and I think it will be a great game. I am enjoying every minute and I have been really happy with my performances since coming back.

"We need to do more and be better and more consistent. Our biggest challenge is to maintain more consistency."

00:24

Goals goal goals at Villa Park?

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).

00:22

LINE-UP - Real Madrid v MAN CITY (20:00 GMT)

XI: Ederson, Khusanov, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol, Nico Gonzalez, Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, Foden, Savinho, Marmoush

Subs: Ortega, Carson, Ake, Kovacic, Haaland, Grealish, Doku, De Bruyne, Nunes, Lewis, McAtee

00:20

THE OLD ENEMY - Rashford will be fired up for this one 🔥

Aston Villa FC v Ipswich Town FC - Premier League

00:18

Real Madrid v Man City

Aston Villa v Liverpool is, of course, our main focus tonight on Matchday Live. But we should also check in on Manchester City’s crucial UEFA Champions League playoff second leg against Real Madrid.

The Spanish giants won the first leg 3-2 after City let a 2-1 lead slip from the 86th minute, with Jude Bellingham grabbing a 92nd-minute winner. We’ll let you know of any major moments in Madrid as they happen throughout the evening.

00:16

Can Rashford continue his resurgence against Liverpool?

If his second half appearance against Ipswich is anything to go by, Marcus Rashford is loving life at Aston Villa. Rashford’s 62 touches were the most he has EVER recorded in a Premier League half of football.

Rashford was exceptionally bright, completing three of six attempted dribbles, winning seven duels, creating four shots, having eight touches in the Ipswich box, and hitting four shots - including a free-kick which bounced off the crossbar to set up Ollie Watkins’ equaliser.

Add to that, he has scored five goals in eight home Premier League appearances against Liverpool – 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 Aguero (7), Thierry Henry (6), and Jamie Vardy (6).

00:14

Title race: Could it come down to Liverpool v Arsenal?

It’s a rare treat to get a title showdown so late in the campaign, but it looks as though the third-from-last match of the season (the weekend of 10 May) will, indeed, act like a cup final.

Liverpool’s seven-point lead means they can afford to lose a game - and/or lose three points on Arsenal - before their meeting and still be crowned champions on the day with victory. If both teams were to win all their matches up to that point, or at least remain seven points apart, then Liverpool would win the title on the day with a draw.

But of course if the gap is any smaller and Arsenal take the points, who knows? Liverpool could all of a sudden look vulnerable. More than likely, one way or the other, it will all come down to a single showdown at Anfield.

00:11

WATCH: Slot’s thoughts on the title race

'People will talk about nerves' - Slot on the title race

Arne Slot explains Liverpool's mentality in the title race and why the win over Wolves was so important

00:08

Title race: Who has the better fixtures?

The Fixture Difficulty Rating (FDR) is a tool used in Fantasy Premier League which ranks fixtures from one (easy) to five (hard). It puts Arsenal and Liverpool almost neck and neck.

Arsenal’s total score is 39, or 3.0 per game, while Liverpool’s is just below on 38, or 2.92 per game.

00:05

Title race: What is the form guide?

Liverpool and Arsenal have each collected 13 points from their last five Premier League matches and, going further back, they have identical records over the previous 10 (W7 D3) and even previous 15 games (W10 D5).

But look a little closer, and it’s Arsenal who are the real form team. Liverpool’s FA Cup defeat to Plymouth Argyle and 3-2 loss to PSV Eindhoven in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) means they have only won three of their last six matches in all competitions. While, the Gunners have won five of their last six matches in all competitions

00:02

Title race: Why the next week could be defining

Liverpool are in control of the title race - but there is still every reason to believe their battle with Arsenal will go to the wire especially as Arne Slot’s side enter a seven-day period that could be season-defining.

The league leaders play Aston Villa, Manchester City and Newcastle United in the space of eight days, a run so tough it’s plausible their entire seven-point lead could slip away.

23:59

NEW BALLS PLEASE - Spring means a new design 😍

Nike third ball

23:56

On the road, again

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).

23:53

Bogey side

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.

23:50

TEAM NEWS - Aston Villa v Liverpool (19:30 GMT)

Unai Emery grants Marcus Rashford his first Premier League start for Villa against a side he’ll have plenty of want to perform against. Tyrone Mings and Marco Asensio also start, with Jacob Ramsey, Boubacar Kamara and Donyell Malen dropping out.

Returning from suspension, Curtis Jones is brought back into the fold by Arne Slot with Luis Diaz making way.

23:48

VIDEO: Will any of those players join this rostrum of greats tonight?

Aston Villa v Liverpool: Watch 10 of the best goals

Featuring Benteke, Szoboszlai, Gerrard and Watkins, watch some of the greatest goals scored when the Villans meet the Reds

23:46

LINE-UP - Aston Villa v LIVERPOOL

XI: Alisson, Van Dijk, Konate, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Salah, Jones, Jota, Robertson, Gravenberch, Alexander-Arnold

Subs: Kelleher, Endo, Diaz, Nunez, Chiesa, Elliott, Tsimikas, Quansah, Bradley

23:45

LINE-UP - ASTON VILLA v Liverpool

XI: Martinez, Garcia, Disasi, Mings, Digne, Asensio, Tielemans, McGinn, Rashford, Rogers, Watkins

Subs: Olsen, Zych, Cash, Bogarde, Maatsen, Malen, Ramsey, Jimoh-Aloba

23:44

Team news time ⌚

Has Cody Gakpo recovered quicker than expected? Will Curtis Jones come straight back in after suspension? Is Marcus Rashford given a first Villa start? Let’s find out now…

23:42

Will Liverpool remain seven points clear?

Premier League Table

Pos Club Pl GD Pts

1

Liverpool

26 +37 63

2

Arsenal

25 +29 53

3

Nott'm Forest

25 +12 47

4

Man City

25 +17 44

5

Bournemouth

25 +15 43

6

Chelsea

25 +13 43

7

Newcastle

25 +9 41

8

Fulham

25 +5 39

9

Aston Villa

26 -4 38

10

Brighton

25 0 37

11

Brentford

25 +1 34

12

Spurs

25 +12 30

13

Crystal Palace

25 -3 30

14

Everton

25 -4 30

15

Man Utd

25 -7 29

16

West Ham

25 -18 27

17

Wolves

25 -19 19

18

Ipswich

25 -27 17

19

Leicester

25 -30 17

20

Southampton

25 -38 9

View More

23:39

VIDEO: Come for Mitoma’s touch, stay for Marmoush’s hat-trick

Watch the BEST GOALS from Matchweek 25

Merino's late heroics, magic from Marmoush and more top strikes from MW25

23:36

Matchweek 2️⃣5️⃣so far

Brighton 3-0 Chelsea

Leicester 0-2 Arsenal

Aston Villa 1-1 Ipswich

Fulham 2-1 Nott’m Forest

Man City 4-0 Newcastle

Southampton 1-3 Bournemouth

West Ham 0-1 Brentford

Crystal Palace 1-2 Everton

Liverpool 2-1 Wolves

Spurs 1-0 Man Utd

23:34

WATCH: A battle for the ages

Watch: When Rashford has got the better of Alexander-Arnold

The England team-mates meet again on Wednesday when Aston Villa host Liverpool

23:30

The Big Match

Tonight has the feel of a pivotal moment in the title race. Liverpool could go 10 points clear of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table. Yes, they’d have played a match more, but the psychological advantage of a double-digit lead shouldn’t be underestimated.

Aston Villa won’t be a pushover, they haven’t lost a home Premier League match since Matchweek 2. Kick-off is at 19:30 GMT.

Live Premier League Matchweek 25 - Wednesday

Alex Smith & Will Murray

LIVE: ASTON VILLA 2-2 LIVERPOOL

TAA finds EQUALISER for REDS

TIELEMANS, WATKINS give VILLA first half LEAD

REDS could go 10 points clear at TOP with win

MAN CITY two down v REAL MADRID

Email: matchdaylive@premierleague.com

Day

Wednesday

Submit your question or comments to the team at Premier League

Comment

02:24

THAT FELT GOOD! Trent's impassioned with equaliser

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool

02:24

STAT - Hazard a guess

Mohamed Salah is the first player with 15+ goals (24) and 15+ assists (15) in a Premier League season since Eden Hazard in 2018-19 (16 goals, 15 assists).

02:23

Premier League pundit Andy Townsend:

"Mo Salah can make the difference. When he gets a bit of room he can provide, this time Trent just hits it, takes a bit of a chance, a couple of deflections and skims past Martinez. Liverpool back on level terms."

02:23

Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool (63 mins)

Mo Salah wants a shot on his left foot and to try and force it, he plays some of the most neatest passes with Dominik Szoboszlai you've seen. He never gets the effort he wants before Andy Robertson forces a corner.

02:20

GOAL! Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool (ALEXANDER-ARNOLD, 61 mins)

Cometh the hour! Cometh Trent Alexander-Arnold! He's in that central position again as Mo Salah squeezes the ball to him. The England defender lashes his shot and the deflection off Tyrone Mings takes the ball over Emi Martinez. Level again.

02:20

Aston Villa 2-1 Liverpool (60 mins)

Diogo Jota runs onto the ball on the edge of the Villa box. His touch takes out two defenders, and his shot has Emi Martinez well beaten. But he can't keep it down as it clips the top of the crossbar. Almost a super strike.

02:19

Premier League pundit Andy Townsend:

"It is a good test this for Liverpool. They know with Villa that with the guys they've got in those forward positions, one mistake back there, then Villa might have a two-goal cushion. It's going to be really tough. Whilst they're got to push and press and take an opportunity or two of their own, they've got to be mindful defensively."

02:17

Aston Villa 2-1 Liverpool (57 mins)

Trent Alexander-Arnold is popping up in more central positions. He finds Dominik Szoboszlai on the edge of the box. But his swivelled shot is deflected, which takes all the power out of the shot as it skids through to Emi Martinez.

02:17

UPENDED - But Rogers won't mind... so was the scoreline!

Dominik Szoboszlai and Morgan Rogers

02:16

Aston Villa 2-1 Liverpool (55 mins)

Some funny business between John McGinn and Ibrahima Konate as they await a corner to come in. A lot of bumping between the two but all that happens first time around is Tyrone Mings puts the ball out for another corner. Take two, and Andy Robertson heads over.

02:13

Aston Villa 2-1 Liverpool (53 mins)

Aston Villa ease through the middle third with some quick intelligent passing but stutter in the third and the chance goes. Been the story of their night on the counter.

02:10

Aston Villa 2-1 Liverpool (50 mins)

Alisson is never ever beating Marcus Rashford in this, or many races. Rashford jumps over the Liverpool goalkeeper with the ball but his angle and distance from goal on the left touchline means he'll still need something special to score his first Villa goal. His effort is on target but tame enough for Ibrahima Konate to head off the line.

02:08

IN NEED OF MAGIC? Salah's ready to be called upon 🪄

Mo Salah, Liverpool FC

02:08

Real Madrid 2-0 Man City (5-2 agg)

Elsewhere, City are stumbling out of the UEFA Champions League. Kylian Mbappe has his second of the night and there is a massive upward battle for Pep Guardiola's men.

02:07

Premier League pundit Andy Townsend:

"I think that if Mo Salah gets an opportunity to get at Lucas Digne with a bit more room, that's certainly one avenue forward. I'll be very surprised if Liverpool don't create more situations. What they've gotta do is make sure they shut Villa out at the other end."

02:06

STAT - Doubly bad

Today was only the second time in their last 50 Premier League games that Liverpool have conceded two goals in the first half (also losing 2-1 vs Arsenal in October 2024).

02:04

Aston Villa 2-1 Liverpool (46 mins)

Right, what do Liverpool have in the tank? 10, eight or seven point lead at the end of the night? One end of the scale probably gives them the sniff of silver, the other gives Arsenal fans a massive cause for excitement.

No changes at half-time as European-chasing Villa get us back under way.

02:04

GAME ON - Something tells us there's plenty more in this 😤

John McGinn, Aston Villa FC

02:03

STAT - Chasing down his own record

Mohamed Salah has scored 24 Premier League goals this season, with only Salah (32 in 2017/18), Luis Suarez (31 in 2013/14) and Robbie Fowler (25 in 1994/95 and 28 in 1995/96) scoring more in a season for Liverpool.

02:01

Premier League pundit Tim Sherwood:

"Villa have been very clinical. You have to give them credit for that, it's not about the amount of chances you create, it's how many chances you take, Villa have been super clinical."

01:59

PICKED UP - Villa fight back from behind

Marco Asensio and Ollie Watkins

01:57

Premier League pundit Danny Murphy:

"Liverpool, for the majority of that half, were really good, they should have been out of sight. Forcing them into mistakes, it is poor decision making [from Villa] but you've got to be forced into them. I thought Liverpool were brave early on. At that point [the goal], you thought Villa were in trouble."

01:55

STAT - He's got Liverpool's number

Ollie Watkins has now scored 6 goals in 10 appearances in the Premier League against Liverpool.

01:53

BONUS POINTS AS IT STANDS

3 - Tielemans

2 - Watkins

1 - Salah

01:51

WAT A HEADER - Watkins takes the lead with a leap ⚽️

Ollie Watkins, Aston Villa

01:49

HALF-TIME Aston Villa 2-1 Liverpool

When Mo Salah tapped Liverpool ahead, things were all looking tidy for the Reds. A 10-point lead at the table was how it stood. But Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins have turned them around and given them a mountain to climb.

01:48

Premier League pundit Andy Townsend:

"Another really good girl. I'd just been thinking that Watkins would be desperate for some sort of opportunity, he hasn't had anything clear cut. He had one there alright! Beautifully picked out from Lucas Digne."

01:47

GOAL! Aston Villa 2-1 Liverpool (WATKINS, 45+3 mins)

Title race = alive! This goal is all about two things. Incisive passing and Ollie Watkins' run. The first is a proper team effort down the left, the latter is an individual piece of smartness. Watkins is on the left one second, he passes to Lucas Digne and then scampers to the box and like the Road Runner, manages to meet the ball to head in. Liverpool have certainly been Wile Coyote'd here!

01:47

STAT - Not all right now

It was Youri Tielemans' first left-footed goal in the Premier League since scoring against Leeds United for Leicester City in November 2020.

01:45

Aston Villa 1-1 Liverpool (45 mins)

All a little untidy as we approach half-time. Villa's press causes a misplaced pass as three additional minutes are shown.

01:44

WORK TO DO - Villa won't let Liverpool run away with it

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dominik Szoboszlai

01:42

STAT - Loves facing Liverpool (h)

Two of Youri Tielemans' last three Premier League goals have come at home to Liverpool, with both of his goals at Villa Park for the Villans coming against the Reds.

01:41

Aston Villa 1-1 Liverpool (41 mins)

Curtis Jones more stabs wide. Liverpool aren't taking the score being back at parity sitting down. Can they re-take the lead before the break?

01:41

YOU TELL 'EM MAN! Belgian levels the scoreline

Youri Tielemans, Aston Villa

01:40

Aston Villa 1-1 Liverpool (39 mins)

Liverpool should been immediately back ahead but Diogo Jota has got it all very very wrong. He is clean through, after a fine clip over the top from Andy Robertson. Jota opens up his body to find the bottom corner but never wraps his foot around the ball and it is a rather embarrassing miss.

01:39

Premier League pundit Andy Townsend:

"The initial ball in is a decent one but they keep it alive! That's the key to Youri Tielemans finding the net here. Not the sweetest strike but it's an accurate one. He hits it down into the ground and it finds it's way into the back of the net."

01:37

GOAL! Aston Villa 1-1 Liverpool (TIELEMANS, 38 mins)

A free-kick into the Liverpool box creates a game of head tennis. After a rally, it eventually finds Youri Tielemans at the back post, who thumps in to make it deuce. Liverpool's leads lasted nine minutes.

01:37

ALLEZ, ALLEZ, ALLEZ - Salah gives fans something to sing about (again)

Mo Salah, Liverpool

01:37

Real Madrid 1-0 Man City (4-2 agg)

An early goal at the Bernabeu, and it is not good news for Man City's UEFA Champions League hopes. Kylian Mbappe has put Real Madrid 4-2 up on aggregate in the fifth minute. It is a lovely looped finish over Ederson.

01:33

STAT - Take him anywhere

Mo Salah is the first Liverpool player to score 15 away Premier League goals in a season, breaking Luis Suárez's record of 14 in 2013/14.

01:32

Aston Villa 0-1 Liverpool (33 mins)

One shot on target, one goal. That has set the Liverpool fans off. They are bellowing out their "Allez, Allez, Allez" chant.

01:32

NOTHING EASIER THAN THAT - Salah gladly receives present

Salah

01:31

STAT - A worrisome stat for Villa

Liverpool have a record of W16, D0, L0 when scoring the opening goal in the Premier League this season.

01:30

Premier League pundit Andy Townsend:

"[Garcia] knew, as soon as he gave that away he put his head in his hands. He's given it to Jota totally unmarked who strides into the box and picks his mate out. Mo Salah scores great goals, he won't get much easier than this one. The main man ain't gonna miss that, no chance."

01:29

GOAL! Aston Villa 0-1 Liverpool (SALAH, 29 mins)

Oh dear. Oh dear, oh dear. Andres Garcia with some Chuckle Brother-like passing. He threads a perfect through-ball for Diogo Jota (who isn't his team-mate), who tees up Mo Salah. That is 24 PL goals for Salah now this season, as Garcia gets consoled by his team-mates.

01:28

JOTA GET THROUGH THIS - Forward leads line against resilient defence

Diogo Jota, Liverpool FC

01:26

Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool (26 mins)

We might not have had a shot or target yet, but that hasn't stopped this match from oozing class. Diogo Jota thinks he is about to end that stat but John McGinn taps the ball from his toe. Mo Salah then loops a header wide with a very weird technique.

01:23

Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool (22 mins)

Andres Garcia has been a menace on the Villa right. This time he gets the better of Curtis Jones to win a corner. Before the short corner can get to the middle, play is stopped with Alexis Mac Allister on the floor. He has tangled with Axel Disasi - who is the night's first recipient of a yellow card.

01:23

Premier League pundit Andy Townsend:

"It's in these situations here, can Villa look for a big switch to get Rashford in with a bit of time one-on-one against Trent? I think if they play two or three short passes on this right side and get it to Tielemans or McGinn, look for that big switch. It's what Liverpool do so well with Salah."

01:21

VILLA ALMOST AHEAD - But just offside!

Marcus Rashford, Aston Villa

01:19

Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool (19 mins)

Curtis Jones looks like he is going to be clean through for a moment but Tyrone Mings nips in to kill off the danger. Moments later, Diogo Jota tries for the spectacular with an angled ball over his shoulder, but he can't get the technique right and the ball bobbles harmlessly wide.

01:19

Premier League pundit Andy Townsend:

"That's what [Marcus Rashford] brings to the party in that area when he runs at people, that's what he does really well."

01:18

Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool (17 mins)

Ollie Watkins has the ball in the net but the offside flag goes up immediately. What we did see there was some of the best attacking players in the world playing breathless attacking football. Marcus Rashford was at the centre of it. He as also the guilty man who brought the flag.

01:17

CHANGING THE NARRATIVE - Villa finding their feet

Morgan Rogers, Aston Villa FC

01:14

Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool (13 mins)

Since that six minutes of one-way traffic, Villa have dominated and found their rhythm nicely. Alisson has to batter away a Andres Garcia cross and then Axel Disasi wins a corner. It is taken short and once it does make the box, Alisson catches with ease.

01:12

STAT - In your face start

Liverpool had three shots in the opening six minutes of today's game, their joint-most in the first six minutes of a Premier League game this season (also 3 vs Nottingham Forest in January).

01:10

SHARED GOALS - A committed team showing so far

Liverpool FC

01:09

Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool (9 mins)

Villa are finally seeing the ball not within 20 yards of their goal. Some nice passing but nothing incisive yet.

01:07

Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool (5 mins)

You get the sense Liverpool are right on it tonight. Alexis Mac Allister's two deliveries into the box need expert defending to deal with them. The clearance lands for Trent Alexander-Arnold to slide Mo Salah in behind. The Egyptian cuts back to Diogo Jota, whose shot is blocked out.

Another poor Villa pass later and Liverpool have ANOTHER chance...but Jota's head is like a Toblerone and squirts off the wrong edge and well wide.

01:06

Premier League pundit Andy Townsend:

"Tyrone Mings and Axel Disasi are already been asked some pretty serious questions. That examination of the Villa back line is going to continue. They'll have to make sure they're together and fully focused."

01:04

CONTROLLED START - Liverpool dominate early proceedings

Jones

01:04

Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool (4 mins)

Phwoar Trent Alexander-Arnold. That is a very attractive stabbed through ball after a quickly played corner. Virgil van Dijk meets it but blazes over. Villa are then careless to give away a second corner in a row.

01:03

Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool (2 mins)

You look at that Villa starting XI and think, where do all those attackers fit in? Well their early press suggests that Marco Asensio will partner Ollie Watkins up front, with Marcus Rashford, John McGinn and Morgan Rogers playing just behind them.

We haven't seen anything of them yet though as Liverpool have kept all the possession of the ball - in fact Villa's only touch has been Andres Garcia taking a cross to his groin region.

01:02

Premier League pundit Andy Townsend:

“Two exciting additions to the squad and they get a chance from the start tonight. They’ve been sharp and bright in the minutes they’ve had up to now. They’ve got to get going from the first whistle and lift everybody inside the stadium.”

01:00

KICK-OFF Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool

After a light show, fireworks, plenty of other pyrotechnics and a blast of Crazy Train we are ready to get under way at a mild, if currently smoky, Villa Park. All aboard!

00:59

READY TO GO - Kick-off is just around the corner ⚽️

Liverpool warm-up

00:58

From The Scout:

Mohamed Salah (£13.7m) is only 10 points behind Steven Gerrard as Liverpool’s highest-scoring player in Fantasy. The Egyptian has amassed 2,034 points over his career compared to Gerrard’s 2,044.

00:56

Aston Villa’s injured midfielder Amadou Onana:

"I am definitely having a bit of FOMO and it has been really fun watching them. I think it has been really fun competing for places in this team and it is a joy to watch."

On Villa’s European push: "When you look at this team on paper we can do it. We need to stay consistent and try and win as many games as we can. With the squad we have, I am sure we can make it happen. You speak about it within the team because everyone wants to do well and win. We don't put pressure on ourselves and just want to enjoy it."

00:54

Great Scot

Liverpool’s Andy Robertson is making his 300th Premier League appearance today (57 for Hull, 243 for Liverpool). He’s the seventh Scottish player to reach this total and first since James McArthur in August 2021, while he's the first to hit this total as a Liverpool player since Gary McAllister in May 2001.

00:52

ASCENDING ASENSIO - The former Real forward starts in the PL for the first time

Marco Asensio, Villa

00:50

From The Scout:

Marcus Rashford (£6.6m) has averaged 6.3 points per home match versus Liverpool, notching five goals and nine bonus points. He starts his first home match against the Reds not at Old Trafford.

00:48

Premier League pundit Andy Townsend:

On Rashford and Asensio: “It is bold but they have both been really bright, they have looked sharp and ready for what Emery is building. I can’t think of anyone, maybe Liverpool, who have a better array of forward players. They have some great options up front.

“If they are going to push for Champions League places they need a goal threat, which they haven’t always had this season - they’ve found it tough to break teams down. With those news boys the signs are good.”

00:46

Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery:

"We have players injured and today we have those centre-backs and hopefully they can connect and both be successful. They have strong qualities as defensive players and then we will try to play with personality and control possession.

"It is a really huge challenge and I want to watch how we respond against Liverpool, the best in the world. Today the challenge is really on the pitch."

00:44

BIG PLAYER? Virg certainly lives up to the name tag 🏷️

Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool FC

Soccer Football - Premier League - Aston Villa v Liverpool - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - February 19, 2025 Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk during the warm up before the match Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR 'LIVE' SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 120 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE FOR FURTHER DETAILS..

00:42

Premier League pundit Tim Sherwood:

“What Slot has done is got the best players - in Salah and Van Dijk - and made them happy. I thought it was the beginning of the end when Klopp had a row on the side of London Stadium with Salah, I thought that was the end of Salah but he is smiling, joking, scoring goals and assisting now. The key to being a top manager is getting the best out of the group, and he is doing that.”

00:40

Slot (points) machine

Liverpool are yet to lose a Premier League away match under Arne Slot, with his 13 matches (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 matches from March to November 1998.

00:38

Liverpool manager Arne Slot:

On Villa's threat: "We faced that against Wolves and we are facing that tonight, again, with some great individual players. It is an evening game at Villa Park which is a difficult one and the only thing we need to do is compete and bring our level too.

"These are two teams with a lot of threat so there needs to be a lot of work rate too, to make sure the other team doesn't score."

00:36

SAL-ACIOUS - Salah will be licking his lips for more goals

Mo Salah, Liverpool

00:34

Premier League pundit Tim Sherwood:

“Liverpool are chasing the title, they have been fantastic and only lost one match all season. It is going to be a huge game. Mikel Arteta and the Arsenal fans will be tuning into this one.

“If Liverpool are to slip up it will be in the next three games starting with this one. We know how difficult Villa can be. Everyone needs Liverpool to have an off-day to keep the title race alive. I wouldn’t rule out Villa making the surprise tonight."

00:32

Rashford isn’t the only player who likes facing Liverpool

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.

00:30

Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate:

“It will be so hard but today we have to be focused. We know the quality of this team. We don't have a lot of rest but this is the Premier League.

“It is not only about their attacking players. They have a very good team and it will be tough for us."

00:28

THE BEATING PART - Mings back in the heart of the defence

Tyrone Mings, Aston Villa FC

00:26

Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings:

"We are looking forward to it and I think it will be a great game. I am enjoying every minute and I have been really happy with my performances since coming back.

"We need to do more and be better and more consistent. Our biggest challenge is to maintain more consistency."

00:24

Goals goal goals at Villa Park?

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).

00:22

LINE-UP - Real Madrid v MAN CITY (20:00 GMT)

XI: Ederson, Khusanov, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol, Nico Gonzalez, Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, Foden, Savinho, Marmoush

Subs: Ortega, Carson, Ake, Kovacic, Haaland, Grealish, Doku, De Bruyne, Nunes, Lewis, McAtee

00:20

THE OLD ENEMY - Rashford will be fired up for this one 🔥

Aston Villa FC v Ipswich Town FC - Premier League

00:18

Real Madrid v Man City

Aston Villa v Liverpool is, of course, our main focus tonight on Matchday Live. But we should also check in on Manchester City’s crucial UEFA Champions League playoff second leg against Real Madrid.

The Spanish giants won the first leg 3-2 after City let a 2-1 lead slip from the 86th minute, with Jude Bellingham grabbing a 92nd-minute winner. We’ll let you know of any major moments in Madrid as they happen throughout the evening.

00:16

Can Rashford continue his resurgence against Liverpool?

If his second half appearance against Ipswich is anything to go by, Marcus Rashford is loving life at Aston Villa. Rashford’s 62 touches were the most he has EVER recorded in a Premier League half of football.

Rashford was exceptionally bright, completing three of six attempted dribbles, winning seven duels, creating four shots, having eight touches in the Ipswich box, and hitting four shots - including a free-kick which bounced off the crossbar to set up Ollie Watkins’ equaliser.

Add to that, he has scored five goals in eight home Premier League appearances against Liverpool – 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 Aguero (7), Thierry Henry (6), and Jamie Vardy (6).

00:14

Title race: Could it come down to Liverpool v Arsenal?

It’s a rare treat to get a title showdown so late in the campaign, but it looks as though the third-from-last match of the season (the weekend of 10 May) will, indeed, act like a cup final.

Liverpool’s seven-point lead means they can afford to lose a game - and/or lose three points on Arsenal - before their meeting and still be crowned champions on the day with victory. If both teams were to win all their matches up to that point, or at least remain seven points apart, then Liverpool would win the title on the day with a draw.

But of course if the gap is any smaller and Arsenal take the points, who knows? Liverpool could all of a sudden look vulnerable. More than likely, one way or the other, it will all come down to a single showdown at Anfield.

00:11

WATCH: Slot’s thoughts on the title race

'People will talk about nerves' - Slot on the title race

Arne Slot explains Liverpool's mentality in the title race and why the win over Wolves was so important

00:08

Title race: Who has the better fixtures?

The Fixture Difficulty Rating (FDR) is a tool used in Fantasy Premier League which ranks fixtures from one (easy) to five (hard). It puts Arsenal and Liverpool almost neck and neck.

Arsenal’s total score is 39, or 3.0 per game, while Liverpool’s is just below on 38, or 2.92 per game.

00:05

Title race: What is the form guide?

Liverpool and Arsenal have each collected 13 points from their last five Premier League matches and, going further back, they have identical records over the previous 10 (W7 D3) and even previous 15 games (W10 D5).

But look a little closer, and it’s Arsenal who are the real form team. Liverpool’s FA Cup defeat to Plymouth Argyle and 3-2 loss to PSV Eindhoven in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) means they have only won three of their last six matches in all competitions. While, the Gunners have won five of their last six matches in all competitions

00:02

Title race: Why the next week could be defining

Liverpool are in control of the title race - but there is still every reason to believe their battle with Arsenal will go to the wire especially as Arne Slot’s side enter a seven-day period that could be season-defining.

The league leaders play Aston Villa, Manchester City and Newcastle United in the space of eight days, a run so tough it’s plausible their entire seven-point lead could slip away.

23:59

NEW BALLS PLEASE - Spring means a new design 😍

Nike third ball

23:56

On the road, again

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).

23:53

Bogey side

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.

23:50

TEAM NEWS - Aston Villa v Liverpool (19:30 GMT)

Unai Emery grants Marcus Rashford his first Premier League start for Villa against a side he’ll have plenty of want to perform against. Tyrone Mings and Marco Asensio also start, with Jacob Ramsey, Boubacar Kamara and Donyell Malen dropping out.

Returning from suspension, Curtis Jones is brought back into the fold by Arne Slot with Luis Diaz making way.

23:48

VIDEO: Will any of those players join this rostrum of greats tonight?

Aston Villa v Liverpool: Watch 10 of the best goals

Featuring Benteke, Szoboszlai, Gerrard and Watkins, watch some of the greatest goals scored when the Villans meet the Reds

23:46

LINE-UP - Aston Villa v LIVERPOOL

XI: Alisson, Van Dijk, Konate, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Salah, Jones, Jota, Robertson, Gravenberch, Alexander-Arnold

Subs: Kelleher, Endo, Diaz, Nunez, Chiesa, Elliott, Tsimikas, Quansah, Bradley

23:45

LINE-UP - ASTON VILLA v Liverpool

XI: Martinez, Garcia, Disasi, Mings, Digne, Asensio, Tielemans, McGinn, Rashford, Rogers, Watkins

Subs: Olsen, Zych, Cash, Bogarde, Maatsen, Malen, Ramsey, Jimoh-Aloba

23:44

Team news time ⌚

Has Cody Gakpo recovered quicker than expected? Will Curtis Jones come straight back in after suspension? Is Marcus Rashford given a first Villa start? Let’s find out now…

23:42

Will Liverpool remain seven points clear?

Premier League Table

Pos Club Pl GD Pts

1

Liverpool

26 +36 61

2

Arsenal

25 +29 53

3

Nott'm Forest

25 +12 47

4

Man City

25 +17 44

5

Bournemouth

25 +15 43

6

Chelsea

25 +13 43

7

Newcastle

25 +9 41

8

Fulham

25 +5 39

9

Aston Villa

26 -3 39

10

Brighton

25 0 37

11

Brentford

25 +1 34

12

Spurs

25 +12 30

13

Crystal Palace

25 -3 30

14

Everton

25 -4 30

15

Man Utd

25 -7 29

16

West Ham

25 -18 27

17

Wolves

25 -19 19

18

Ipswich

25 -27 17

19

Leicester

25 -30 17

20

Southampton

25 -38 9

View More

23:39

VIDEO: Come for Mitoma’s touch, stay for Marmoush’s hat-trick

Watch the BEST GOALS from Matchweek 25

Merino's late heroics, magic from Marmoush and more top strikes from MW25

23:36

Matchweek 2️⃣5️⃣so far

Brighton 3-0 Chelsea

Leicester 0-2 Arsenal

Aston Villa 1-1 Ipswich

Fulham 2-1 Nott’m Forest

Man City 4-0 Newcastle

Southampton 1-3 Bournemouth

West Ham 0-1 Brentford

Crystal Palace 1-2 Everton

Liverpool 2-1 Wolves

Spurs 1-0 Man Utd

23:34

WATCH: A battle for the ages

Watch: When Rashford has got the better of Alexander-Arnold

The England team-mates meet again on Wednesday when Aston Villa host Liverpool

23:30

The Big Match

Tonight has the feel of a pivotal moment in the title race. Liverpool could go 10 points clear of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table. Yes, they’d have played a match more, but the psychological advantage of a double-digit lead shouldn’t be underestimated.

Aston Villa won’t be a pushover, they haven’t lost a home Premier League match since Matchweek 2. Kick-off is at 19:30 GMT.

02:34

IMMEDIATE IMPACT... ALMOST - Nunez almost finds the net with first touch

Darwin Nunez, Liverpool

02:33

Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool (74 mins)

Villa sweep forward again with some lovely passing and moving. They shift it across the box and back again but Ibrahima Konate mops up.

02:31

Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool (71 mins)

This is also a massive chance. This time at the other end. Donyell Malen is threaded through by Morgan Rogers. The Dutchman has the goal at his mercy but puts himself wide enough to give Alisson a sniff of playing the angles to his advantage. A good save in the end.

02:29

Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool (69 mins)

Darwin Nunez quite simply has to score with his first touch. Dominik Szoboszlai is in behind and squares to the newly arrived Nunez. But, on a slight stretch, Nunez somehow clears the bar of an empty goal. Massive chance and what an impact that could have been.

02:28

MUTED CELEBRATIONS - Liverpool straight back to business after goal

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool

02:27

SUBS Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool (67 mins)

Villa are also dipping into their reserves. New boys Andres Garcia, Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford off... Matty Cash, Donyell Malen and Jacob Ramsey on.

02:26

SUBS Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool (66 mins)

Trent Alexander-Arnold might have saved Liverpool but he is coming off, with Diogo Jota. Connor Bradley and Darwin Nunez take their places.

02:25

Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool (65 mins)

Andy Robertson powers the sort of cross strikers love. Diogo Jota flings himself at the ball but heads wide.

02:24

THAT FELT GOOD! Trent's impassioned with equaliser

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool

02:24

STAT - Hazard a guess

Mohamed Salah is the first player with 15+ goals (24) and 15+ assists (15) in a Premier League season since Eden Hazard in 2018-19 (16 goals, 15 assists).

02:23

Premier League pundit Andy Townsend:

"Mo Salah can make the difference. When he gets a bit of room he can provide, this time Trent just hits it, takes a bit of a chance, a couple of deflections and skims past Martinez. Liverpool back on level terms."

02:23

Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool (63 mins)

Mo Salah wants a shot on his left foot and to try and force it, he plays some of the most neatest passes with Dominik Szoboszlai you've seen. He never gets the effort he wants before Andy Robertson forces a corner.

02:20

GOAL! Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool (ALEXANDER-ARNOLD, 61 mins)

Cometh the hour! Cometh Trent Alexander-Arnold! He's in that central position again as Mo Salah squeezes the ball to him. The England defender lashes his shot and the deflection off Tyrone Mings takes the ball over Emi Martinez. Level again.

02:20

Aston Villa 2-1 Liverpool (60 mins)

Diogo Jota runs onto the ball on the edge of the Villa box. His touch takes out two defenders, and his shot has Emi Martinez well beaten. But he can't keep it down as it clips the top of the crossbar. Almost a super strike.

02:19

Premier League pundit Andy Townsend:

"It is a good test this for Liverpool. They know with Villa that with the guys they've got in those forward positions, one mistake back there, then Villa might have a two-goal cushion. It's going to be really tough. Whilst they're got to push and press and take an opportunity or two of their own, they've got to be mindful defensively."

02:17

Aston Villa 2-1 Liverpool (57 mins)

Trent Alexander-Arnold is popping up in more central positions. He finds Dominik Szoboszlai on the edge of the box. But his swivelled shot is deflected, which takes all the power out of the shot as it skids through to Emi Martinez.

02:17

UPENDED - But Rogers won't mind... so was the scoreline!

Dominik Szoboszlai and Morgan Rogers

02:16

Aston Villa 2-1 Liverpool (55 mins)

Some funny business between John McGinn and Ibrahima Konate as they await a corner to come in. A lot of bumping between the two but all that happens first time around is Tyrone Mings puts the ball out for another corner. Take two, and Andy Robertson heads over.

02:13

Aston Villa 2-1 Liverpool (53 mins)

Aston Villa ease through the middle third with some quick intelligent passing but stutter in the third and the chance goes. Been the story of their night on the counter.

02:10

Aston Villa 2-1 Liverpool (50 mins)

Alisson is never ever beating Marcus Rashford in this, or many races. Rashford jumps over the Liverpool goalkeeper with the ball but his angle and distance from goal on the left touchline means he'll still need something special to score his first Villa goal. His effort is on target but tame enough for Ibrahima Konate to head off the line.

02:08

IN NEED OF MAGIC? Salah's ready to be called upon 🪄

Mo Salah, Liverpool FC

02:08

Real Madrid 2-0 Man City (5-2 agg)

Elsewhere, City are stumbling out of the UEFA Champions League. Kylian Mbappe has his second of the night and there is a massive upward battle for Pep Guardiola's men.

02:07

Premier League pundit Andy Townsend:

"I think that if Mo Salah gets an opportunity to get at Lucas Digne with a bit more room, that's certainly one avenue forward. I'll be very surprised if Liverpool don't create more situations. What they've gotta do is make sure they shut Villa out at the other end."

02:06

STAT - Doubly bad

Today was only the second time in their last 50 Premier League games that Liverpool have conceded two goals in the first half (also losing 2-1 vs Arsenal in October 2024).

02:04

Aston Villa 2-1 Liverpool (46 mins)

Right, what do Liverpool have in the tank? 10, eight or seven point lead at the end of the night? One end of the scale probably gives them the sniff of silver, the other gives Arsenal fans a massive cause for excitement.

No changes at half-time as European-chasing Villa get us back under way.

02:04

GAME ON - Something tells us there's plenty more in this 😤

John McGinn, Aston Villa FC

02:03

STAT - Chasing down his own record

Mohamed Salah has scored 24 Premier League goals this season, with only Salah (32 in 2017/18), Luis Suarez (31 in 2013/14) and Robbie Fowler (25 in 1994/95 and 28 in 1995/96) scoring more in a season for Liverpool.

02:01

Premier League pundit Tim Sherwood:

"Villa have been very clinical. You have to give them credit for that, it's not about the amount of chances you create, it's how many chances you take, Villa have been super clinical."

01:59

PICKED UP - Villa fight back from behind

Marco Asensio and Ollie Watkins

01:57

Premier League pundit Danny Murphy:

"Liverpool, for the majority of that half, were really good, they should have been out of sight. Forcing them into mistakes, it is poor decision making [from Villa] but you've got to be forced into them. I thought Liverpool were brave early on. At that point [the goal], you thought Villa were in trouble."

01:55

STAT - He's got Liverpool's number

Ollie Watkins has now scored 6 goals in 10 appearances in the Premier League against Liverpool.

01:53

BONUS POINTS AS IT STANDS

3 - Tielemans

2 - Watkins

1 - Salah

01:51

WAT A HEADER - Watkins takes the lead with a leap ⚽️

Ollie Watkins, Aston Villa

01:49

HALF-TIME Aston Villa 2-1 Liverpool

When Mo Salah tapped Liverpool ahead, things were all looking tidy for the Reds. A 10-point lead at the table was how it stood. But Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins have turned them around and given them a mountain to climb.

01:48

Premier League pundit Andy Townsend:

"Another really good girl. I'd just been thinking that Watkins would be desperate for some sort of opportunity, he hasn't had anything clear cut. He had one there alright! Beautifully picked out from Lucas Digne."

01:47

GOAL! Aston Villa 2-1 Liverpool (WATKINS, 45+3 mins)

Title race = alive! This goal is all about two things. Incisive passing and Ollie Watkins' run. The first is a proper team effort down the left, the latter is an individual piece of smartness. Watkins is on the left one second, he passes to Lucas Digne and then scampers to the box and like the Road Runner, manages to meet the ball to head in. Liverpool have certainly been Wile Coyote'd here!

01:47

STAT - Not all right now

It was Youri Tielemans' first left-footed goal in the Premier League since scoring against Leeds United for Leicester City in November 2020.

01:45

Aston Villa 1-1 Liverpool (45 mins)

All a little untidy as we approach half-time. Villa's press causes a misplaced pass as three additional minutes are shown.

01:44

WORK TO DO - Villa won't let Liverpool run away with it

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dominik Szoboszlai

01:42

STAT - Loves facing Liverpool (h)

Two of Youri Tielemans' last three Premier League goals have come at home to Liverpool, with both of his goals at Villa Park for the Villans coming against the Reds.

01:41

Aston Villa 1-1 Liverpool (41 mins)

Curtis Jones more stabs wide. Liverpool aren't taking the score being back at parity sitting down. Can they re-take the lead before the break?

01:41

YOU TELL 'EM MAN! Belgian levels the scoreline

Youri Tielemans, Aston Villa

01:40

Aston Villa 1-1 Liverpool (39 mins)

Liverpool should been immediately back ahead but Diogo Jota has got it all very very wrong. He is clean through, after a fine clip over the top from Andy Robertson. Jota opens up his body to find the bottom corner but never wraps his foot around the ball and it is a rather embarrassing miss.

01:39

Premier League pundit Andy Townsend:

"The initial ball in is a decent one but they keep it alive! That's the key to Youri Tielemans finding the net here. Not the sweetest strike but it's an accurate one. He hits it down into the ground and it finds it's way into the back of the net."

01:37

GOAL! Aston Villa 1-1 Liverpool (TIELEMANS, 38 mins)

A free-kick into the Liverpool box creates a game of head tennis. After a rally, it eventually finds Youri Tielemans at the back post, who thumps in to make it deuce. Liverpool's leads lasted nine minutes.

01:37

ALLEZ, ALLEZ, ALLEZ - Salah gives fans something to sing about (again)

Mo Salah, Liverpool

01:37

Real Madrid 1-0 Man City (4-2 agg)

An early goal at the Bernabeu, and it is not good news for Man City's UEFA Champions League hopes. Kylian Mbappe has put Real Madrid 4-2 up on aggregate in the fifth minute. It is a lovely looped finish over Ederson.

01:33

STAT - Take him anywhere

Mo Salah is the first Liverpool player to score 15 away Premier League goals in a season, breaking Luis Suárez's record of 14 in 2013/14.

01:32

Aston Villa 0-1 Liverpool (33 mins)

One shot on target, one goal. That has set the Liverpool fans off. They are bellowing out their "Allez, Allez, Allez" chant.

01:32

NOTHING EASIER THAN THAT - Salah gladly receives present

Salah

01:31

STAT - A worrisome stat for Villa

Liverpool have a record of W16, D0, L0 when scoring the opening goal in the Premier League this season.

01:30

Premier League pundit Andy Townsend:

"[Garcia] knew, as soon as he gave that away he put his head in his hands. He's given it to Jota totally unmarked who strides into the box and picks his mate out. Mo Salah scores great goals, he won't get much easier than this one. The main man ain't gonna miss that, no chance."

01:29

GOAL! Aston Villa 0-1 Liverpool (SALAH, 29 mins)

Oh dear. Oh dear, oh dear. Andres Garcia with some Chuckle Brother-like passing. He threads a perfect through-ball for Diogo Jota (who isn't his team-mate), who tees up Mo Salah. That is 24 PL goals for Salah now this season, as Garcia gets consoled by his team-mates.

01:28

JOTA GET THROUGH THIS - Forward leads line against resilient defence

Diogo Jota, Liverpool FC

01:26

Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool (26 mins)

We might not have had a shot or target yet, but that hasn't stopped this match from oozing class. Diogo Jota thinks he is about to end that stat but John McGinn taps the ball from his toe. Mo Salah then loops a header wide with a very weird technique.

01:23

Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool (22 mins)

Andres Garcia has been a menace on the Villa right. This time he gets the better of Curtis Jones to win a corner. Before the short corner can get to the middle, play is stopped with Alexis Mac Allister on the floor. He has tangled with Axel Disasi - who is the night's first recipient of a yellow card.

01:23

Premier League pundit Andy Townsend:

"It's in these situations here, can Villa look for a big switch to get Rashford in with a bit of time one-on-one against Trent? I think if they play two or three short passes on this right side and get it to Tielemans or McGinn, look for that big switch. It's what Liverpool do so well with Salah."

01:21

VILLA ALMOST AHEAD - But just offside!

Marcus Rashford, Aston Villa

01:19

Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool (19 mins)

Curtis Jones looks like he is going to be clean through for a moment but Tyrone Mings nips in to kill off the danger. Moments later, Diogo Jota tries for the spectacular with an angled ball over his shoulder, but he can't get the technique right and the ball bobbles harmlessly wide.

01:19

Premier League pundit Andy Townsend:

"That's what [Marcus Rashford] brings to the party in that area when he runs at people, that's what he does really well."

01:18

Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool (17 mins)

Ollie Watkins has the ball in the net but the offside flag goes up immediately. What we did see there was some of the best attacking players in the world playing breathless attacking football. Marcus Rashford was at the centre of it. He as also the guilty man who brought the flag.

01:17

CHANGING THE NARRATIVE - Villa finding their feet

Morgan Rogers, Aston Villa FC

01:14

Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool (13 mins)

Since that six minutes of one-way traffic, Villa have dominated and found their rhythm nicely. Alisson has to batter away a Andres Garcia cross and then Axel Disasi wins a corner. It is taken short and once it does make the box, Alisson catches with ease.

01:12

STAT - In your face start

Liverpool had three shots in the opening six minutes of today's game, their joint-most in the first six minutes of a Premier League game this season (also 3 vs Nottingham Forest in January).

01:10

SHARED GOALS - A committed team showing so far

Liverpool FC

01:09

Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool (9 mins)

Villa are finally seeing the ball not within 20 yards of their goal. Some nice passing but nothing incisive yet.

01:07

Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool (5 mins)

You get the sense Liverpool are right on it tonight. Alexis Mac Allister's two deliveries into the box need expert defending to deal with them. The clearance lands for Trent Alexander-Arnold to slide Mo Salah in behind. The Egyptian cuts back to Diogo Jota, whose shot is blocked out.

Another poor Villa pass later and Liverpool have ANOTHER chance...but Jota's head is like a Toblerone and squirts off the wrong edge and well wide.

01:06

Premier League pundit Andy Townsend:

"Tyrone Mings and Axel Disasi are already been asked some pretty serious questions. That examination of the Villa back line is going to continue. They'll have to make sure they're together and fully focused."

01:04

CONTROLLED START - Liverpool dominate early proceedings

Jones

01:04

Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool (4 mins)

Phwoar Trent Alexander-Arnold. That is a very attractive stabbed through ball after a quickly played corner. Virgil van Dijk meets it but blazes over. Villa are then careless to give away a second corner in a row.

01:03

Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool (2 mins)

You look at that Villa starting XI and think, where do all those attackers fit in? Well their early press suggests that Marco Asensio will partner Ollie Watkins up front, with Marcus Rashford, John McGinn and Morgan Rogers playing just behind them.

We haven't seen anything of them yet though as Liverpool have kept all the possession of the ball - in fact Villa's only touch has been Andres Garcia taking a cross to his groin region.

01:02

Premier League pundit Andy Townsend:

“Two exciting additions to the squad and they get a chance from the start tonight. They’ve been sharp and bright in the minutes they’ve had up to now. They’ve got to get going from the first whistle and lift everybody inside the stadium.”

01:00

KICK-OFF Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool

After a light show, fireworks, plenty of other pyrotechnics and a blast of Crazy Train we are ready to get under way at a mild, if currently smoky, Villa Park. All aboard!

00:59

READY TO GO - Kick-off is just around the corner ⚽️

Liverpool warm-up

00:58

From The Scout:

Mohamed Salah (£13.7m) is only 10 points behind Steven Gerrard as Liverpool’s highest-scoring player in Fantasy. The Egyptian has amassed 2,034 points over his career compared to Gerrard’s 2,044.

00:56

Aston Villa’s injured midfielder Amadou Onana:

"I am definitely having a bit of FOMO and it has been really fun watching them. I think it has been really fun competing for places in this team and it is a joy to watch."

On Villa’s European push: "When you look at this team on paper we can do it. We need to stay consistent and try and win as many games as we can. With the squad we have, I am sure we can make it happen. You speak about it within the team because everyone wants to do well and win. We don't put pressure on ourselves and just want to enjoy it."

00:54

Great Scot

Liverpool’s Andy Robertson is making his 300th Premier League appearance today (57 for Hull, 243 for Liverpool). He’s the seventh Scottish player to reach this total and first since James McArthur in August 2021, while he's the first to hit this total as a Liverpool player since Gary McAllister in May 2001.

00:52

ASCENDING ASENSIO - The former Real forward starts in the PL for the first time

Marco Asensio, Villa

00:50

From The Scout:

Marcus Rashford (£6.6m) has averaged 6.3 points per home match versus Liverpool, notching five goals and nine bonus points. He starts his first home match against the Reds not at Old Trafford.

00:48

Premier League pundit Andy Townsend:

On Rashford and Asensio: “It is bold but they have both been really bright, they have looked sharp and ready for what Emery is building. I can’t think of anyone, maybe Liverpool, who have a better array of forward players. They have some great options up front.

“If they are going to push for Champions League places they need a goal threat, which they haven’t always had this season - they’ve found it tough to break teams down. With those news boys the signs are good.”

00:46

Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery:

"We have players injured and today we have those centre-backs and hopefully they can connect and both be successful. They have strong qualities as defensive players and then we will try to play with personality and control possession.

"It is a really huge challenge and I want to watch how we respond against Liverpool, the best in the world. Today the challenge is really on the pitch."

00:44

BIG PLAYER? Virg certainly lives up to the name tag 🏷️

Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool FC

Soccer Football - Premier League - Aston Villa v Liverpool - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - February 19, 2025 Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk during the warm up before the match Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR 'LIVE' SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 120 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE FOR FURTHER DETAILS..

00:42

Premier League pundit Tim Sherwood:

“What Slot has done is got the best players - in Salah and Van Dijk - and made them happy. I thought it was the beginning of the end when Klopp had a row on the side of London Stadium with Salah, I thought that was the end of Salah but he is smiling, joking, scoring goals and assisting now. The key to being a top manager is getting the best out of the group, and he is doing that.”

00:40

Slot (points) machine

Liverpool are yet to lose a Premier League away match under Arne Slot, with his 13 matches (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 matches from March to November 1998.

00:38

Liverpool manager Arne Slot:

On Villa's threat: "We faced that against Wolves and we are facing that tonight, again, with some great individual players. It is an evening game at Villa Park which is a difficult one and the only thing we need to do is compete and bring our level too.

"These are two teams with a lot of threat so there needs to be a lot of work rate too, to make sure the other team doesn't score."

00:36

SAL-ACIOUS - Salah will be licking his lips for more goals

Mo Salah, Liverpool

00:34

Premier League pundit Tim Sherwood:

“Liverpool are chasing the title, they have been fantastic and only lost one match all season. It is going to be a huge game. Mikel Arteta and the Arsenal fans will be tuning into this one.

“If Liverpool are to slip up it will be in the next three games starting with this one. We know how difficult Villa can be. Everyone needs Liverpool to have an off-day to keep the title race alive. I wouldn’t rule out Villa making the surprise tonight."

00:32

Rashford isn’t the only player who likes facing Liverpool

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.

00:30

Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate:

“It will be so hard but today we have to be focused. We know the quality of this team. We don't have a lot of rest but this is the Premier League.

“It is not only about their attacking players. They have a very good team and it will be tough for us."

00:28

THE BEATING PART - Mings back in the heart of the defence

Tyrone Mings, Aston Villa FC

00:26

Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings:

"We are looking forward to it and I think it will be a great game. I am enjoying every minute and I have been really happy with my performances since coming back.

"We need to do more and be better and more consistent. Our biggest challenge is to maintain more consistency."

00:24

Goals goal goals at Villa Park?

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).

00:22

LINE-UP - Real Madrid v MAN CITY (20:00 GMT)

XI: Ederson, Khusanov, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol, Nico Gonzalez, Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, Foden, Savinho, Marmoush

Subs: Ortega, Carson, Ake, Kovacic, Haaland, Grealish, Doku, De Bruyne, Nunes, Lewis, McAtee

00:20

THE OLD ENEMY - Rashford will be fired up for this one 🔥

Aston Villa FC v Ipswich Town FC - Premier League

00:18

Real Madrid v Man City

Aston Villa v Liverpool is, of course, our main focus tonight on Matchday Live. But we should also check in on Manchester City’s crucial UEFA Champions League playoff second leg against Real Madrid.

The Spanish giants won the first leg 3-2 after City let a 2-1 lead slip from the 86th minute, with Jude Bellingham grabbing a 92nd-minute winner. We’ll let you know of any major moments in Madrid as they happen throughout the evening.

00:16

Can Rashford continue his resurgence against Liverpool?

If his second half appearance against Ipswich is anything to go by, Marcus Rashford is loving life at Aston Villa. Rashford’s 62 touches were the most he has EVER recorded in a Premier League half of football.

Rashford was exceptionally bright, completing three of six attempted dribbles, winning seven duels, creating four shots, having eight touches in the Ipswich box, and hitting four shots - including a free-kick which bounced off the crossbar to set up Ollie Watkins’ equaliser.

Add to that, he has scored five goals in eight home Premier League appearances against Liverpool – 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 Aguero (7), Thierry Henry (6), and Jamie Vardy (6).

00:14

Title race: Could it come down to Liverpool v Arsenal?

It’s a rare treat to get a title showdown so late in the campaign, but it looks as though the third-from-last match of the season (the weekend of 10 May) will, indeed, act like a cup final.

Liverpool’s seven-point lead means they can afford to lose a game - and/or lose three points on Arsenal - before their meeting and still be crowned champions on the day with victory. If both teams were to win all their matches up to that point, or at least remain seven points apart, then Liverpool would win the title on the day with a draw.

But of course if the gap is any smaller and Arsenal take the points, who knows? Liverpool could all of a sudden look vulnerable. More than likely, one way or the other, it will all come down to a single showdown at Anfield.

00:11

WATCH: Slot’s thoughts on the title race

'People will talk about nerves' - Slot on the title race

Arne Slot explains Liverpool's mentality in the title race and why the win over Wolves was so important

00:08

Title race: Who has the better fixtures?

The Fixture Difficulty Rating (FDR) is a tool used in Fantasy Premier League which ranks fixtures from one (easy) to five (hard). It puts Arsenal and Liverpool almost neck and neck.

Arsenal’s total score is 39, or 3.0 per game, while Liverpool’s is just below on 38, or 2.92 per game.

00:05

Title race: What is the form guide?

Liverpool and Arsenal have each collected 13 points from their last five Premier League matches and, going further back, they have identical records over the previous 10 (W7 D3) and even previous 15 games (W10 D5).

But look a little closer, and it’s Arsenal who are the real form team. Liverpool’s FA Cup defeat to Plymouth Argyle and 3-2 loss to PSV Eindhoven in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) means they have only won three of their last six matches in all competitions. While, the Gunners have won five of their last six matches in all competitions

00:02

Title race: Why the next week could be defining

Liverpool are in control of the title race - but there is still every reason to believe their battle with Arsenal will go to the wire especially as Arne Slot’s side enter a seven-day period that could be season-defining.

The league leaders play Aston Villa, Manchester City and Newcastle United in the space of eight days, a run so tough it’s plausible their entire seven-point lead could slip away.

23:59

NEW BALLS PLEASE - Spring means a new design 😍

Nike third ball

23:56

On the road, again

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).

23:53

Bogey side

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.

23:50

TEAM NEWS - Aston Villa v Liverpool (19:30 GMT)

Unai Emery grants Marcus Rashford his first Premier League start for Villa against a side he’ll have plenty of want to perform against. Tyrone Mings and Marco Asensio also start, with Jacob Ramsey, Boubacar Kamara and Donyell Malen dropping out.

Returning from suspension, Curtis Jones is brought back into the fold by Arne Slot with Luis Diaz making way.

23:48

VIDEO: Will any of those players join this rostrum of greats tonight?

Aston Villa v Liverpool: Watch 10 of the best goals

Featuring Benteke, Szoboszlai, Gerrard and Watkins, watch some of the greatest goals scored when the Villans meet the Reds

23:46

LINE-UP - Aston Villa v LIVERPOOL

XI: Alisson, Van Dijk, Konate, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Salah, Jones, Jota, Robertson, Gravenberch, Alexander-Arnold

Subs: Kelleher, Endo, Diaz, Nunez, Chiesa, Elliott, Tsimikas, Quansah, Bradley

23:45

LINE-UP - ASTON VILLA v Liverpool

XI: Martinez, Garcia, Disasi, Mings, Digne, Asensio, Tielemans, McGinn, Rashford, Rogers, Watkins

Subs: Olsen, Zych, Cash, Bogarde, Maatsen, Malen, Ramsey, Jimoh-Aloba

23:44

Team news time ⌚

Has Cody Gakpo recovered quicker than expected? Will Curtis Jones come straight back in after suspension? Is Marcus Rashford given a first Villa start? Let’s find out now…

23:42

Will Liverpool remain seven points clear?

Premier League Table

Pos Club Pl GD Pts

1

Liverpool

26 +36 61

2

Arsenal

25 +29 53

3

Nott'm Forest

25 +12 47

4

Man City

25 +17 44

5

Bournemouth

25 +15 43

6

Chelsea

25 +13 43

7

Newcastle

25 +9 41

8

Fulham

25 +5 39

9

Aston Villa

26 -3 39

10

Brighton

25 0 37

11

Brentford

25 +1 34

12

Spurs

25 +12 30

13

Crystal Palace

25 -3 30

14

Everton

25 -4 30

15

Man Utd

25 -7 29

16

West Ham

25 -18 27

17

Wolves

25 -19 19

18

Ipswich

25 -27 17

19

Leicester

25 -30 17

20

Southampton

25 -38 9

View More

23:39

VIDEO: Come for Mitoma’s touch, stay for Marmoush’s hat-trick

Watch the BEST GOALS from Matchweek 25

Merino's late heroics, magic from Marmoush and more top strikes from MW25

23:36

Matchweek 2️⃣5️⃣so far

Brighton 3-0 Chelsea

Leicester 0-2 Arsenal

Aston Villa 1-1 Ipswich

Fulham 2-1 Nott’m Forest

Man City 4-0 Newcastle

Southampton 1-3 Bournemouth

West Ham 0-1 Brentford

Crystal Palace 1-2 Everton

Liverpool 2-1 Wolves

Spurs 1-0 Man Utd

23:34

WATCH: A battle for the ages

Watch: When Rashford has got the better of Alexander-Arnold

The England team-mates meet again on Wednesday when Aston Villa host Liverpool

23:30

The Big Match

Tonight has the feel of a pivotal moment in the title race. Liverpool could go 10 points clear of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table. Yes, they’d have played a match more, but the psychological advantage of a double-digit lead shouldn’t be underestimated.

Aston Villa won’t be a pushover, they haven’t lost a home Premier League match since Matchweek 2. Kick-off is at 19:30 GMT.

02:43

Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool (84 mins)

Mo Salah volleys against the post from a corner but the whistle had already blown for a foul on Ollie Watkins. Craig Pawson has his yellow card out as well.

02:43

STILL BATTLING - They'll feel the strain until the final whistle

Morgan Rogers and Curtis Jones

02:41

Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool (81 mins)

Jacob Ramsey is in behind and finishes...and then the offside flag goes up. He gives the universal sign for "it was close" to the linesman. He had gone too early though.

02:40

SUB Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool (81 mins)

Luis Diaz has nine minutes to be a hero. He takes the place of Alexis Mac Allister.

02:40

Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool (80 mins)

Goalkeepers assisting is en vogue, and Alisson wants a bit of it. He picks out Mo Salah with a quick kick. He feeds Darwin Nunez but he takes too long and the chance disappears.

02:39

SOOTY AND SWEEPER KEEPER - Martinez mops up at the back

Darwin Nunez, Liverpool

02:38

Premier League pundit Andy Townsend:

"On the face of it, it's a good point for Arne Slot and Liverpool. They'd love to win the game, but in their position, to come here and get a point keeps them in a good position in the table. For Unai Emery, any time you play against Liverpool, if you fall behind, turn it round and win a point, it's a good night's work."

02:37

SUB Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool (78 mins)

A change at left-back for Villa. Lucas Digne jogs off with an assist to his name. Can Ian Maatsen have a say on the result?

02:36

STAT - Making them count

Liverpool have had 13 more shots than Aston Villa (17 v 4), but both sides have had the same number of shots on target (3).

02:35

Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool (75 mins)

EMI MARTINEZ!!! He slides in on Darwin Nunez about 10 yards outside his box, after a mistake by Tyrone Mings. Red card or hero? The tackle is perfect and wins the ball cleanly. That was pure risk v reward.

02:34

IMMEDIATE IMPACT... ALMOST - Nunez almost finds the net with first touch

Darwin Nunez, Liverpool

02:33

Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool (74 mins)

Villa sweep forward again with some lovely passing and moving. They shift it across the box and back again but Ibrahima Konate mops up.

02:31

Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool (71 mins)

This is also a massive chance. This time at the other end. Donyell Malen is threaded through by Morgan Rogers. The Dutchman has the goal at his mercy but puts himself wide enough to give Alisson a sniff of playing the angles to his advantage. A good save in the end.

02:29

Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool (69 mins)

Darwin Nunez quite simply has to score with his first touch. Dominik Szoboszlai is in behind and squares to the newly arrived Nunez. But, on a slight stretch, Nunez somehow clears the bar of an empty goal. Massive chance and what an impact that could have been.

02:28

MUTED CELEBRATIONS - Liverpool straight back to business after goal

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool

02:27

SUBS Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool (67 mins)

Villa are also dipping into their reserves. New boys Andres Garcia, Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford off... Matty Cash, Donyell Malen and Jacob Ramsey on.

02:26

SUBS Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool (66 mins)

Trent Alexander-Arnold might have saved Liverpool but he is coming off, with Diogo Jota. Connor Bradley and Darwin Nunez take their places.

02:25

Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool (65 mins)

Andy Robertson powers the sort of cross strikers love. Diogo Jota flings himself at the ball but heads wide.

02:24

THAT FELT GOOD! Trent's impassioned with equaliser

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool

02:24

STAT - Hazard a guess

Mohamed Salah is the first player with 15+ goals (24) and 15+ assists (15) in a Premier League season since Eden Hazard in 2018-19 (16 goals, 15 assists).

02:23

Premier League pundit Andy Townsend:

"Mo Salah can make the difference. When he gets a bit of room he can provide, this time Trent just hits it, takes a bit of a chance, a couple of deflections and skims past Martinez. Liverpool back on level terms."

02:23

Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool (63 mins)

Mo Salah wants a shot on his left foot and to try and force it, he plays some of the most neatest passes with Dominik Szoboszlai you've seen. He never gets the effort he wants before Andy Robertson forces a corner.

02:20

GOAL! Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool (ALEXANDER-ARNOLD, 61 mins)

Cometh the hour! Cometh Trent Alexander-Arnold! He's in that central position again as Mo Salah squeezes the ball to him. The England defender lashes his shot and the deflection off Tyrone Mings takes the ball over Emi Martinez. Level again.

02:20

Aston Villa 2-1 Liverpool (60 mins)

Diogo Jota runs onto the ball on the edge of the Villa box. His touch takes out two defenders, and his shot has Emi Martinez well beaten. But he can't keep it down as it clips the top of the crossbar. Almost a super strike.

02:19

Premier League pundit Andy Townsend:

"It is a good test this for Liverpool. They know with Villa that with the guys they've got in those forward positions, one mistake back there, then Villa might have a two-goal cushion. It's going to be really tough. Whilst they're got to push and press and take an opportunity or two of their own, they've got to be mindful defensively."

02:17

Aston Villa 2-1 Liverpool (57 mins)

Trent Alexander-Arnold is popping up in more central positions. He finds Dominik Szoboszlai on the edge of the box. But his swivelled shot is deflected, which takes all the power out of the shot as it skids through to Emi Martinez.

02:17

UPENDED - But Rogers won't mind... so was the scoreline!

Dominik Szoboszlai and Morgan Rogers

02:16

Aston Villa 2-1 Liverpool (55 mins)

Some funny business between John McGinn and Ibrahima Konate as they await a corner to come in. A lot of bumping between the two but all that happens first time around is Tyrone Mings puts the ball out for another corner. Take two, and Andy Robertson heads over.

02:13

Aston Villa 2-1 Liverpool (53 mins)

Aston Villa ease through the middle third with some quick intelligent passing but stutter in the third and the chance goes. Been the story of their night on the counter.

02:10

Aston Villa 2-1 Liverpool (50 mins)

Alisson is never ever beating Marcus Rashford in this, or many races. Rashford jumps over the Liverpool goalkeeper with the ball but his angle and distance from goal on the left touchline means he'll still need something special to score his first Villa goal. His effort is on target but tame enough for Ibrahima Konate to head off the line.

02:08

IN NEED OF MAGIC? Salah's ready to be called upon 🪄

Mo Salah, Liverpool FC

02:08

Real Madrid 2-0 Man City (5-2 agg)

Elsewhere, City are stumbling out of the UEFA Champions League. Kylian Mbappe has his second of the night and there is a massive upward battle for Pep Guardiola's men.

02:07

Premier League pundit Andy Townsend:

"I think that if Mo Salah gets an opportunity to get at Lucas Digne with a bit more room, that's certainly one avenue forward. I'll be very surprised if Liverpool don't create more situations. What they've gotta do is make sure they shut Villa out at the other end."

02:06

STAT - Doubly bad

Today was only the second time in their last 50 Premier League games that Liverpool have conceded two goals in the first half (also losing 2-1 vs Arsenal in October 2024).

02:04

Aston Villa 2-1 Liverpool (46 mins)

Right, what do Liverpool have in the tank? 10, eight or seven point lead at the end of the night? One end of the scale probably gives them the sniff of silver, the other gives Arsenal fans a massive cause for excitement.

No changes at half-time as European-chasing Villa get us back under way.

02:04

GAME ON - Something tells us there's plenty more in this 😤

John McGinn, Aston Villa FC

02:03

STAT - Chasing down his own record

Mohamed Salah has scored 24 Premier League goals this season, with only Salah (32 in 2017/18), Luis Suarez (31 in 2013/14) and Robbie Fowler (25 in 1994/95 and 28 in 1995/96) scoring more in a season for Liverpool.

02:01

Premier League pundit Tim Sherwood:

"Villa have been very clinical. You have to give them credit for that, it's not about the amount of chances you create, it's how many chances you take, Villa have been super clinical."

01:59

PICKED UP - Villa fight back from behind

Marco Asensio and Ollie Watkins

01:57

Premier League pundit Danny Murphy:

"Liverpool, for the majority of that half, were really good, they should have been out of sight. Forcing them into mistakes, it is poor decision making [from Villa] but you've got to be forced into them. I thought Liverpool were brave early on. At that point [the goal], you thought Villa were in trouble."

01:55

STAT - He's got Liverpool's number

Ollie Watkins has now scored 6 goals in 10 appearances in the Premier League against Liverpool.

01:53

BONUS POINTS AS IT STANDS

3 - Tielemans

2 - Watkins

1 - Salah

01:51

WAT A HEADER - Watkins takes the lead with a leap ⚽️

Ollie Watkins, Aston Villa

01:49

HALF-TIME Aston Villa 2-1 Liverpool

When Mo Salah tapped Liverpool ahead, things were all looking tidy for the Reds. A 10-point lead at the table was how it stood. But Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins have turned them around and given them a mountain to climb.

01:48

Premier League pundit Andy Townsend:

"Another really good girl. I'd just been thinking that Watkins would be desperate for some sort of opportunity, he hasn't had anything clear cut. He had one there alright! Beautifully picked out from Lucas Digne."

01:47

GOAL! Aston Villa 2-1 Liverpool (WATKINS, 45+3 mins)

Title race = alive! This goal is all about two things. Incisive passing and Ollie Watkins' run. The first is a proper team effort down the left, the latter is an individual piece of smartness. Watkins is on the left one second, he passes to Lucas Digne and then scampers to the box and like the Road Runner, manages to meet the ball to head in. Liverpool have certainly been Wile Coyote'd here!

01:47

STAT - Not all right now

It was Youri Tielemans' first left-footed goal in the Premier League since scoring against Leeds United for Leicester City in November 2020.

01:45

Aston Villa 1-1 Liverpool (45 mins)

All a little untidy as we approach half-time. Villa's press causes a misplaced pass as three additional minutes are shown.

01:44

WORK TO DO - Villa won't let Liverpool run away with it

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dominik Szoboszlai

01:42

STAT - Loves facing Liverpool (h)

Two of Youri Tielemans' last three Premier League goals have come at home to Liverpool, with both of his goals at Villa Park for the Villans coming against the Reds.

01:41

Aston Villa 1-1 Liverpool (41 mins)

Curtis Jones more stabs wide. Liverpool aren't taking the score being back at parity sitting down. Can they re-take the lead before the break?

01:41

YOU TELL 'EM MAN! Belgian levels the scoreline

Youri Tielemans, Aston Villa

01:40

Aston Villa 1-1 Liverpool (39 mins)

Liverpool should been immediately back ahead but Diogo Jota has got it all very very wrong. He is clean through, after a fine clip over the top from Andy Robertson. Jota opens up his body to find the bottom corner but never wraps his foot around the ball and it is a rather embarrassing miss.

01:39

Premier League pundit Andy Townsend:

"The initial ball in is a decent one but they keep it alive! That's the key to Youri Tielemans finding the net here. Not the sweetest strike but it's an accurate one. He hits it down into the ground and it finds it's way into the back of the net."

01:37

GOAL! Aston Villa 1-1 Liverpool (TIELEMANS, 38 mins)

A free-kick into the Liverpool box creates a game of head tennis. After a rally, it eventually finds Youri Tielemans at the back post, who thumps in to make it deuce. Liverpool's leads lasted nine minutes.

01:37

ALLEZ, ALLEZ, ALLEZ - Salah gives fans something to sing about (again)

Mo Salah, Liverpool

01:37

Real Madrid 1-0 Man City (4-2 agg)

An early goal at the Bernabeu, and it is not good news for Man City's UEFA Champions League hopes. Kylian Mbappe has put Real Madrid 4-2 up on aggregate in the fifth minute. It is a lovely looped finish over Ederson.

01:33

STAT - Take him anywhere

Mo Salah is the first Liverpool player to score 15 away Premier League goals in a season, breaking Luis Suárez's record of 14 in 2013/14.

01:32

Aston Villa 0-1 Liverpool (33 mins)

One shot on target, one goal. That has set the Liverpool fans off. They are bellowing out their "Allez, Allez, Allez" chant.

01:32

NOTHING EASIER THAN THAT - Salah gladly receives present

Salah

01:31

STAT - A worrisome stat for Villa

Liverpool have a record of W16, D0, L0 when scoring the opening goal in the Premier League this season.

01:30

Premier League pundit Andy Townsend:

"[Garcia] knew, as soon as he gave that away he put his head in his hands. He's given it to Jota totally unmarked who strides into the box and picks his mate out. Mo Salah scores great goals, he won't get much easier than this one. The main man ain't gonna miss that, no chance."

01:29

GOAL! Aston Villa 0-1 Liverpool (SALAH, 29 mins)

Oh dear. Oh dear, oh dear. Andres Garcia with some Chuckle Brother-like passing. He threads a perfect through-ball for Diogo Jota (who isn't his team-mate), who tees up Mo Salah. That is 24 PL goals for Salah now this season, as Garcia gets consoled by his team-mates.

01:28

JOTA GET THROUGH THIS - Forward leads line against resilient defence

Diogo Jota, Liverpool FC

01:26

Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool (26 mins)

We might not have had a shot or target yet, but that hasn't stopped this match from oozing class. Diogo Jota thinks he is about to end that stat but John McGinn taps the ball from his toe. Mo Salah then loops a header wide with a very weird technique.

01:23

Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool (22 mins)

Andres Garcia has been a menace on the Villa right. This time he gets the better of Curtis Jones to win a corner. Before the short corner can get to the middle, play is stopped with Alexis Mac Allister on the floor. He has tangled with Axel Disasi - who is the night's first recipient of a yellow card.

01:23

Premier League pundit Andy Townsend:

"It's in these situations here, can Villa look for a big switch to get Rashford in with a bit of time one-on-one against Trent? I think if they play two or three short passes on this right side and get it to Tielemans or McGinn, look for that big switch. It's what Liverpool do so well with Salah."

01:21

VILLA ALMOST AHEAD - But just offside!

Marcus Rashford, Aston Villa

01:19

Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool (19 mins)

Curtis Jones looks like he is going to be clean through for a moment but Tyrone Mings nips in to kill off the danger. Moments later, Diogo Jota tries for the spectacular with an angled ball over his shoulder, but he can't get the technique right and the ball bobbles harmlessly wide.

01:19

Premier League pundit Andy Townsend:

"That's what [Marcus Rashford] brings to the party in that area when he runs at people, that's what he does really well."

01:18

Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool (17 mins)

Ollie Watkins has the ball in the net but the offside flag goes up immediately. What we did see there was some of the best attacking players in the world playing breathless attacking football. Marcus Rashford was at the centre of it. He as also the guilty man who brought the flag.

01:17

CHANGING THE NARRATIVE - Villa finding their feet

Morgan Rogers, Aston Villa FC

01:14

Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool (13 mins)

Since that six minutes of one-way traffic, Villa have dominated and found their rhythm nicely. Alisson has to batter away a Andres Garcia cross and then Axel Disasi wins a corner. It is taken short and once it does make the box, Alisson catches with ease.

01:12

STAT - In your face start

Liverpool had three shots in the opening six minutes of today's game, their joint-most in the first six minutes of a Premier League game this season (also 3 vs Nottingham Forest in January).

01:10

SHARED GOALS - A committed team showing so far

Liverpool FC

01:09

Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool (9 mins)

Villa are finally seeing the ball not within 20 yards of their goal. Some nice passing but nothing incisive yet.

01:07

Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool (5 mins)

You get the sense Liverpool are right on it tonight. Alexis Mac Allister's two deliveries into the box need expert defending to deal with them. The clearance lands for Trent Alexander-Arnold to slide Mo Salah in behind. The Egyptian cuts back to Diogo Jota, whose shot is blocked out.

Another poor Villa pass later and Liverpool have ANOTHER chance...but Jota's head is like a Toblerone and squirts off the wrong edge and well wide.

01:06

Premier League pundit Andy Townsend:

"Tyrone Mings and Axel Disasi are already been asked some pretty serious questions. That examination of the Villa back line is going to continue. They'll have to make sure they're together and fully focused."

01:04

CONTROLLED START - Liverpool dominate early proceedings

Jones

01:04

Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool (4 mins)

Phwoar Trent Alexander-Arnold. That is a very attractive stabbed through ball after a quickly played corner. Virgil van Dijk meets it but blazes over. Villa are then careless to give away a second corner in a row.

01:03

Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool (2 mins)

You look at that Villa starting XI and think, where do all those attackers fit in? Well their early press suggests that Marco Asensio will partner Ollie Watkins up front, with Marcus Rashford, John McGinn and Morgan Rogers playing just behind them.

We haven't seen anything of them yet though as Liverpool have kept all the possession of the ball - in fact Villa's only touch has been Andres Garcia taking a cross to his groin region.

01:02

Premier League pundit Andy Townsend:

“Two exciting additions to the squad and they get a chance from the start tonight. They’ve been sharp and bright in the minutes they’ve had up to now. They’ve got to get going from the first whistle and lift everybody inside the stadium.”

01:00

KICK-OFF Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool

After a light show, fireworks, plenty of other pyrotechnics and a blast of Crazy Train we are ready to get under way at a mild, if currently smoky, Villa Park. All aboard!

00:59

READY TO GO - Kick-off is just around the corner ⚽️

Liverpool warm-up

00:58

From The Scout:

Mohamed Salah (£13.7m) is only 10 points behind Steven Gerrard as Liverpool’s highest-scoring player in Fantasy. The Egyptian has amassed 2,034 points over his career compared to Gerrard’s 2,044.

00:56

Aston Villa’s injured midfielder Amadou Onana:

"I am definitely having a bit of FOMO and it has been really fun watching them. I think it has been really fun competing for places in this team and it is a joy to watch."

On Villa’s European push: "When you look at this team on paper we can do it. We need to stay consistent and try and win as many games as we can. With the squad we have, I am sure we can make it happen. You speak about it within the team because everyone wants to do well and win. We don't put pressure on ourselves and just want to enjoy it."

00:54

Great Scot

Liverpool’s Andy Robertson is making his 300th Premier League appearance today (57 for Hull, 243 for Liverpool). He’s the seventh Scottish player to reach this total and first since James McArthur in August 2021, while he's the first to hit this total as a Liverpool player since Gary McAllister in May 2001.

00:52

ASCENDING ASENSIO - The former Real forward starts in the PL for the first time

Marco Asensio, Villa

00:50

From The Scout:

Marcus Rashford (£6.6m) has averaged 6.3 points per home match versus Liverpool, notching five goals and nine bonus points. He starts his first home match against the Reds not at Old Trafford.

00:48

Premier League pundit Andy Townsend:

On Rashford and Asensio: “It is bold but they have both been really bright, they have looked sharp and ready for what Emery is building. I can’t think of anyone, maybe Liverpool, who have a better array of forward players. They have some great options up front.

“If they are going to push for Champions League places they need a goal threat, which they haven’t always had this season - they’ve found it tough to break teams down. With those news boys the signs are good.”

00:46

Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery:

"We have players injured and today we have those centre-backs and hopefully they can connect and both be successful. They have strong qualities as defensive players and then we will try to play with personality and control possession.

"It is a really huge challenge and I want to watch how we respond against Liverpool, the best in the world. Today the challenge is really on the pitch."

00:44

BIG PLAYER? Virg certainly lives up to the name tag 🏷️

Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool FC

Soccer Football - Premier League - Aston Villa v Liverpool - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - February 19, 2025 Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk during the warm up before the match Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR 'LIVE' SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 120 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE FOR FURTHER DETAILS..

00:42

Premier League pundit Tim Sherwood:

“What Slot has done is got the best players - in Salah and Van Dijk - and made them happy. I thought it was the beginning of the end when Klopp had a row on the side of London Stadium with Salah, I thought that was the end of Salah but he is smiling, joking, scoring goals and assisting now. The key to being a top manager is getting the best out of the group, and he is doing that.”

00:40

Slot (points) machine

Liverpool are yet to lose a Premier League away match under Arne Slot, with his 13 matches (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 matches from March to November 1998.

00:38

Liverpool manager Arne Slot:

On Villa's threat: "We faced that against Wolves and we are facing that tonight, again, with some great individual players. It is an evening game at Villa Park which is a difficult one and the only thing we need to do is compete and bring our level too.

"These are two teams with a lot of threat so there needs to be a lot of work rate too, to make sure the other team doesn't score."

00:36

SAL-ACIOUS - Salah will be licking his lips for more goals

Mo Salah, Liverpool

00:34

Premier League pundit Tim Sherwood:

“Liverpool are chasing the title, they have been fantastic and only lost one match all season. It is going to be a huge game. Mikel Arteta and the Arsenal fans will be tuning into this one.

“If Liverpool are to slip up it will be in the next three games starting with this one. We know how difficult Villa can be. Everyone needs Liverpool to have an off-day to keep the title race alive. I wouldn’t rule out Villa making the surprise tonight."

00:32

Rashford isn’t the only player who likes facing Liverpool

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.

00:30

Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate:

“It will be so hard but today we have to be focused. We know the quality of this team. We don't have a lot of rest but this is the Premier League.

“It is not only about their attacking players. They have a very good team and it will be tough for us."

00:28

THE BEATING PART - Mings back in the heart of the defence

Tyrone Mings, Aston Villa FC

00:26

Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings:

"We are looking forward to it and I think it will be a great game. I am enjoying every minute and I have been really happy with my performances since coming back.

"We need to do more and be better and more consistent. Our biggest challenge is to maintain more consistency."

00:24

Goals goal goals at Villa Park?

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).

00:22

LINE-UP - Real Madrid v MAN CITY (20:00 GMT)

XI: Ederson, Khusanov, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol, Nico Gonzalez, Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, Foden, Savinho, Marmoush

Subs: Ortega, Carson, Ake, Kovacic, Haaland, Grealish, Doku, De Bruyne, Nunes, Lewis, McAtee

00:20

THE OLD ENEMY - Rashford will be fired up for this one 🔥

Aston Villa FC v Ipswich Town FC - Premier League

00:18

Real Madrid v Man City

Aston Villa v Liverpool is, of course, our main focus tonight on Matchday Live. But we should also check in on Manchester City’s crucial UEFA Champions League playoff second leg against Real Madrid.

The Spanish giants won the first leg 3-2 after City let a 2-1 lead slip from the 86th minute, with Jude Bellingham grabbing a 92nd-minute winner. We’ll let you know of any major moments in Madrid as they happen throughout the evening.

00:16

Can Rashford continue his resurgence against Liverpool?

If his second half appearance against Ipswich is anything to go by, Marcus Rashford is loving life at Aston Villa. Rashford’s 62 touches were the most he has EVER recorded in a Premier League half of football.

Rashford was exceptionally bright, completing three of six attempted dribbles, winning seven duels, creating four shots, having eight touches in the Ipswich box, and hitting four shots - including a free-kick which bounced off the crossbar to set up Ollie Watkins’ equaliser.

Add to that, he has scored five goals in eight home Premier League appearances against Liverpool – 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 Aguero (7), Thierry Henry (6), and Jamie Vardy (6).

00:14

Title race: Could it come down to Liverpool v Arsenal?

It’s a rare treat to get a title showdown so late in the campaign, but it looks as though the third-from-last match of the season (the weekend of 10 May) will, indeed, act like a cup final.

Liverpool’s seven-point lead means they can afford to lose a game - and/or lose three points on Arsenal - before their meeting and still be crowned champions on the day with victory. If both teams were to win all their matches up to that point, or at least remain seven points apart, then Liverpool would win the title on the day with a draw.

But of course if the gap is any smaller and Arsenal take the points, who knows? Liverpool could all of a sudden look vulnerable. More than likely, one way or the other, it will all come down to a single showdown at Anfield.

00:11

WATCH: Slot’s thoughts on the title race

'People will talk about nerves' - Slot on the title race

Arne Slot explains Liverpool's mentality in the title race and why the win over Wolves was so important

00:08

Title race: Who has the better fixtures?

The Fixture Difficulty Rating (FDR) is a tool used in Fantasy Premier League which ranks fixtures from one (easy) to five (hard). It puts Arsenal and Liverpool almost neck and neck.

Arsenal’s total score is 39, or 3.0 per game, while Liverpool’s is just below on 38, or 2.92 per game.

00:05

Title race: What is the form guide?

Liverpool and Arsenal have each collected 13 points from their last five Premier League matches and, going further back, they have identical records over the previous 10 (W7 D3) and even previous 15 games (W10 D5).

But look a little closer, and it’s Arsenal who are the real form team. Liverpool’s FA Cup defeat to Plymouth Argyle and 3-2 loss to PSV Eindhoven in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) means they have only won three of their last six matches in all competitions. While, the Gunners have won five of their last six matches in all competitions

00:02

Title race: Why the next week could be defining

Liverpool are in control of the title race - but there is still every reason to believe their battle with Arsenal will go to the wire especially as Arne Slot’s side enter a seven-day period that could be season-defining.

The league leaders play Aston Villa, Manchester City and Newcastle United in the space of eight days, a run so tough it’s plausible their entire seven-point lead could slip away.

23:59

NEW BALLS PLEASE - Spring means a new design 😍

Nike third ball

23:56

On the road, again

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).

23:53

Bogey side

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.

23:50

TEAM NEWS - Aston Villa v Liverpool (19:30 GMT)

Unai Emery grants Marcus Rashford his first Premier League start for Villa against a side he’ll have plenty of want to perform against. Tyrone Mings and Marco Asensio also start, with Jacob Ramsey, Boubacar Kamara and Donyell Malen dropping out.

Returning from suspension, Curtis Jones is brought back into the fold by Arne Slot with Luis Diaz making way.

23:48

VIDEO: Will any of those players join this rostrum of greats tonight?

Aston Villa v Liverpool: Watch 10 of the best goals

Featuring Benteke, Szoboszlai, Gerrard and Watkins, watch some of the greatest goals scored when the Villans meet the Reds

23:46

LINE-UP - Aston Villa v LIVERPOOL

XI: Alisson, Van Dijk, Konate, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Salah, Jones, Jota, Robertson, Gravenberch, Alexander-Arnold

Subs: Kelleher, Endo, Diaz, Nunez, Chiesa, Elliott, Tsimikas, Quansah, Bradley

23:45

LINE-UP - ASTON VILLA v Liverpool

XI: Martinez, Garcia, Disasi, Mings, Digne, Asensio, Tielemans, McGinn, Rashford, Rogers, Watkins

Subs: Olsen, Zych, Cash, Bogarde, Maatsen, Malen, Ramsey, Jimoh-Aloba

23:44

Team news time ⌚

Has Cody Gakpo recovered quicker than expected? Will Curtis Jones come straight back in after suspension? Is Marcus Rashford given a first Villa start? Let’s find out now…

23:42

Will Liverpool remain seven points clear?

Premier League Table

Pos Club Pl GD Pts

1

Liverpool

26 +36 61

2

Arsenal

25 +29 53

3

Nott'm Forest

25 +12 47

4

Man City

25 +17 44

5

Bournemouth

25 +15 43

6

Chelsea

25 +13 43

7

Newcastle

25 +9 41

8

Fulham

25 +5 39

9

Aston Villa

26 -3 39

10

Brighton

25 0 37

11

Brentford

25 +1 34

12

Spurs

25 +12 30

13

Crystal Palace

25 -3 30

14

Everton

25 -4 30

15

Man Utd

25 -7 29

16

West Ham

25 -18 27

17

Wolves

25 -19 19

18

Ipswich

25 -27 17

19

Leicester

25 -30 17

20

Southampton

25 -38 9

View More

23:39

VIDEO: Come for Mitoma’s touch, stay for Marmoush’s hat-trick

Watch the BEST GOALS from Matchweek 25

Merino's late heroics, magic from Marmoush and more top strikes from MW25

23:36

Matchweek 2️⃣5️⃣so far

Brighton 3-0 Chelsea

Leicester 0-2 Arsenal

Aston Villa 1-1 Ipswich

Fulham 2-1 Nott’m Forest

Man City 4-0 Newcastle

Southampton 1-3 Bournemouth

West Ham 0-1 Brentford

Crystal Palace 1-2 Everton

Liverpool 2-1 Wolves

Spurs 1-0 Man Utd

23:34

WATCH: A battle for the ages

Watch: When Rashford has got the better of Alexander-Arnold

The England team-mates meet again on Wednesday when Aston Villa host Liverpool

23:30

The Big Match

Tonight has the feel of a pivotal moment in the title race. Liverpool could go 10 points clear of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table. Yes, they’d have played a match more, but the psychological advantage of a double-digit lead shouldn’t be underestimated.

Aston Villa won’t be a pushover, they haven’t lost a home Premier League match since Matchweek 2. Kick-off is at 19:30 GMT.