Liverpool 2 Aston Villa 0: Villa suffer back to back to league defeats

Darwin Nunez broke the deadlock when he netted just 10 seconds after Villa had taken a corner.

Mo Salah then netted the second after running from his own half as the visitors pushed for a leveller late on.

Villa performed well for large parts of the match but were let down by big mistakes and a lack of conviction in attack.

Analysis

Liverpool keeper Caoimhin Kelleher denied Amadou Onana and Diego Carlos in quick succession, while Unai Emery’s team also saw a good appeal for a penalty dismissed when Pau Torres had his shirt pulled in the box. 

But they were also architects of their own downfall. Nunez nearly scored again after Liverpool broke from a Villa corner, before Salah sealed the match after a mistake by Carlos allowed him to spring clear.

Victory sent Liverpool five points clear at the top after Manchester City’s earlier defeat at Brighton.

Villa, now on their worst run since Unai Emery took charge, are down to eighth.

Perhaps the one surprise in a Villa XI which featured four changes from Brugge in midweek was the absence of John McGinn, the captain dropping down to the bench with Leon Bailey keeping his place on the right of midfield.

City’s defeat at Brighton had given Liverpool added impetus and the noise levels inside Anfield only rose further when Nunez tumbled under the challenge of Diego Carlos inside the opening 90 seconds. Referee David Coote waved away penalty appeals.

Villa did a decent job frustrating the hosts and the ground began to get quieter. Jacob Ramsey saw a shot blocked by Ryan Gravenberch before Bailey headed over Youri Tielemans’ cross at the far post.

But just as Villa were starting to gain in confidence they were hit by a stunning counter from their own corner. Ramsey failed to get enough on the ball when attempting to recycle it out to the wing, Van Dijk nipped in and sent Salah racing over the top. The Egypt international beat Bailey in the foot race and was brought down but referee Coote waved play on and Nunez rounded Martinez before finishing from a tight angle.

Villa looked for a quick response but saw appeals for a penalty dismissed when Watkins tumbled under the challenge of Ibrahima Konate. The visiting striker than pulled a shot badly wide after finding space in the box.

Liverpool’s biggest threat remained when Villa got a corner and remarkably lightening nearly struck twice as again the visitors were hit by a counter attack from their own set piece. This time Nunez, through on goal, skied his shot over the bar.

The next time Villa won a corner it was met by a roar of anticipation from home fans but almost brought a leveller. This time Digne got the delivery right and Kelleher was forced to tip Onana’s header over the bar. Seconds later the keeper made a better save, this time from Carlos’ glancing header, as the next Villa corner almost brought another goal.

Emery was forced into a change on the stroke of half-time as Ramsey pulled up, with McGinn coming off the bench.

His team’s overall performance had been good and they should have been level 30 seconds after the break, Rogers slicing wide after breaking into the left of the box.

Nunez headed an Andy Robertson cross wide at the other end in the best chance the hosts had fashioned which didn’t come direct from a Villa corner. The visitors then saw another penalty shout waved away when Conor Bradley pulled Pau Torres’ shirt at a free-kick. Neither referee Coote or the VAR felt it warranted a spot-kick. Emery’s animated reaction on the bench suggested he thought otherwise.

The Villa boss introduced Duran off the bench for Watkins but it was a Liverpool substitute, Cody Gakpo, who had the next effort on goal, cutting inside and sending an effort well over the bar.

It was the visitors who looked the more likely scorers but their lack of conviction around the box was frustrating. Jaden Philogene couldn’t make up his mind whether to shoot or pass, while Virgil van Dijk diverted McGinn’s cross over the bar.

With six minutes remaining hope of a comeback was killed by another counter attack goal. Torres tumbled in the box but no penalty was forthcoming and when Carlos headed straight at Salah, he ran from his own half before finishing past Martinez.

Key Moments

20 GOAL Villa get caught on the counter from their own corner. Leon Bailey brings down Mo Salah but the ball runs to Darwin Nunez who goes round Emi Martinez before turning the ball home.

84 GOAL Villa are hit on the counter again. Diego Carlos loses possession to Salah and he races from his own half before finishing past Martinez.

Teams

Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold (Bradley 25), Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Salah, Jones (Gakpo 65), Diaz, Nunez (Szoboszlai 65) Subs not used: Gomez, Endo, Tsimikas, Quansah, Morton, Jaros (gk).

Villa (4-2-3-1): Martinez, Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Digne (Maatsen 74), Onana (Kamara 74), Tielemans, Bailey (Philogene 65), Rogers, Ramsey (Ramsey 45+2), Watkins (Duran 65) Subs not used: Bogarde, Mings, Buendia, Olsen (gk).