Aston Villa 7 Liverpool 2 - Player Ratings

Emiliano Martinez

Good early stop to keep out Firmino twice and preserve his side’s lead. Got away with one with poor distribution. But stayed alert throughout, making late saves.

Alert...7

Matty Cash

Asked a few questions of as Liverpool responded to setback and pressed down his flank. Perhaps not given as much cover as required. Seemed more alert to threat levels in a more comfortable second half.

Tested...7

Ezri Konsa

Continued his fine recent form. Made some excellent interceptions and timely tackles in a fine defensive display.

Impressive...9

Tyrone Mings

Played a big role in ensuring Liverpool’s star-studded frontline got little change out of the Villa defence. Led by example.

Leader...8

Matt Targett

Made life difficult for Alexander-Arnold with some excellent positioning in the first period. Defensively excellent.

Solid...8

John McGinn

A little fortunate to get away with an early block on Salah in the Villa box. Crisp volley for Villa’s third showed the quality he possesses. Fine pass for Grealish’s second. A real cutting edge.

Creative...8

Douglas Luiz

Positioned himself well in front of the Villa backline. Dragged out of position for Salah’s first. Picked up an early second-half caution, but coasted through the contest.

Dominant...7

Ross Barkley

His first involvement in claret and blue was missing a sitter. Did better with second chance, but dragged wide. Fortunate with his goal from distance, but deserved it. A constant threat on a very positive debut, which bodes well moving forward.

Threat...8

Trezeguet

Worked as hard as ever and was alive for a super cross to put it on a plate for Watkins’ hat-trick goal. Probably the least active of Villa’s forward players, but still essential in harassing and harrying Liverpool.

Grafter...7

Ollie Watkins

Could hardly miss his opening gift, but his second was a delight. Fine run and super finish. Clever movement to ensure he was in place to turn in the header for a perfect first-half treble. Was frustrated he couldn’t add a fourth, which tells a story of the day.

Deadly...9

Jack Grealish

Alive to Adrian’s woeful early error to put it smartly on a plate for Watkins, who could hardly miss. Fine pass for Watkins’ second. Might have been an element of fortune with his deflected strike from distance, but added a cool second. A dominant, ruthless and creative force.

Magician...9

SUBS

AHMED ELMOHAMADY (for Cash 80), MARVELOUS NAKAMBA (for Luiz 80), BERTRAND TRAORE (for Trezeguet 87).

Not used: Steer, Hourihane, Davis, El Ghazi.