Liverpool v Aston Villa Live Commentary & Result, 20/05/2023, Premier League

Pos	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	PTS	Form
1	MCI Manchester City 0-0	38	28	6	4	94	32	+62	90	D W W W W
2	ARS Arsenal 2-0	38	26	6	6	85	43	+42	84	L L W W L
3	NEW Newcastle United 0-1	38	20	13	5	68	32	+36	73	D W D L W
4	MUN Manchester United 0-0	38	22	7	9	56	42	+14	73	W W W L L
5	LIV Liverpool 0-2	38	20	9	9	73	43	+30	69	D W W W W
6	BHA Brighton & Hove Albion 1-0	38	18	8	12	71	52	+19	62	D W L W L
7	AVL Aston Villa 1-0	38	18	7	13	50	45	+5	61	D W L L W
8	TOT Tottenham Hotspur 0-1	38	18	6	14	67	62	+5	60	L L W L D
9	BRE Brentford 0-0	38	14	15	9	57	46	+11	57	W W L W W
10	FUL Fulham 0-0	38	15	8	15	54	51	+3	53	D W W L L
11	CRY Crystal Palace 0-0	38	11	12	15	39	48	-9	45	D W L W L
12	CHE Chelsea 0-1	38	11	10	17	37	47	-10	43	L L D W L
13	WHU West Ham United 0-0	38	11	8	19	41	53	-12	41	W L W L L
14	WOL Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0	38	11	8	19	31	55	-24	41	D L W L W
15	BOU AFC Bournemouth 0-0	38	11	7	20	37	70	-33	40	L L L W W
16	NFO Nottingham Forest 0-0	38	9	11	18	37	67	-30	38	W D W L W
17	EVE Everton 0-0	38	7	13	18	33	57	-24	34	D L W D L
18	LEI Leicester City 0-0	38	8	8	22	49	67	-18	32	D L L D D
19	LEE Leeds United 0-1	38	7	10	21	47	75	-28	31	L D L L D
20	SOU Southampton 0-2	38	6	6	26	32	71	-39	24	L L L L L

Thank you for joining us, and have a lovely weekend! Goodbye!

As for Unai Emery's side, they miss the chance to leapfrog Brighton into sixth, but with Tottenham's loss earlier today, sit in control of their own destiny for a seventh-place finish. They can still make Europe too.

That bonkers finale means Jurgen Klopp's Reds stay fifth and three points off Newcastle United and Manchester United. The Magpies and the Red Devils now only need a point from their last two games to secure Champions League football.

Roberto Firmino's late equaliser ensures a stalemate in the Premier League between Liverpool and Aston Villa, as both teams lose ground in their European races. It's a thrilling last act for the Brazilian, but it looks unlikely to be enough to keep Liverpool's top-four hopes alive. At full-time, it finishes Liverpool 1-1 Aston Villa.

90' + 11' FULL-TIME: LIVERPOOL 1-1 ASTON VILLA

90' + 10' A Liverpool free-kick is swung into the Villa box. Martinez claims. It's nearly there now.

90' + 8' Unai Emery is screaming at his players to clear their lines, as Liverpool continue to put them under the cosh. This is utterly thrilling stuff.

E. Konsa

Yellow Card

90' + 6' Konsa is the latest man to be handed a yellow card. Villa are clinging on for dear life.

90' + 5' Elliott! The substitute launches a left-footed effort and Martinez makes the stop. It is all coming to a boil on Merseyside.

90' + 3' A string of consecutive corners for Liverpool sees them continue to pepper the Villa defence. Momentum is absolutely with the Reds now.

A. Young

Yellow Card

90' + 1' There's a booking for Young now. Anfield is absolutely rocking.

90' Buckle up, folks. We're getting 10 added minutes in this one.

Mohamed Salah

Assist

89' He's had a tough day at the office, but Salah has made an excellent contribution there. The Reds are right back in this match.

Roberto Firmino

Goal

89' GOAL! LIVERPOOL LEVEL IT UP! 1-1! What a parting gift from Firmino that is! Anfield roars his name as he rises and chops Salah's cross past Martinez at the right post. Game on!

89' The news is in from Bournemouth, where Manchester United have claimed a 1-0 win. Liverpool must find something to keep their Champions League hopes alive.

L. Dendoncker

Douglas Luiz

87' Dendoncker takes the place of Douglas Luiz now for Villa too.

J. Durán

O. Watkins

87' Duran replaces Watkins, as Villa continue to hold onto this game.

84' Time truly is running out for the Reds now. Manchester United are winning elsewhere. If results stay as they do, then the top four is out of reach for them.

82' Salah moves on the break down the right flank, and then throws his arms up in frustration as the offside flag is raised against him. It has not been Liverpool's day.

H. Elliott

Fabinho

81' Elliott replaces Fabinho as Liverpool continue to chase a goal.

Fabinho

Yellow Card

80' Fabinho is the latest man to pick up a booking.

79' Jota floats into the box after a fine Liverpool break, but he is dislodged of possession and Villa calmly work themselves out of danger. For the most part, the visitors have been composed.

E. Martínez

Yellow Card

77' Martinez is given a yellow card as Villa continue to look to slow the game down.

75' Villa have seriously bolstered that defensive line, and appear to be playing with a crowded back six. It is doing the job for the most part.

73' Alexander-Arnold! Firmino makes an instant impact, carving up the left edge, and the right-back races onto the cut-back from Gakpo, only to hammer it straight at Martinez.

K. Tsimikas

A. Robertson

72' Tsimikas takes the spot of Robertson in another Liverpool change.

J. Milner

J. Henderson

72' Likewise, Milner is set for an Anfield farewell as he replaces Henderson.

Roberto Firmino

L. Díaz

72' Firmino replaces Diaz for what will be his final home game with Liverpool.

70' If there's one thing that can get Anfield to its feet besides a goal, it might be the send-off for Firmino and Milner. The two are poised to arrive.

68' With less than a quarter of the game to go, time is running out for Liverpool to find both an equaliser and a potential winner. This will be a mighty blow to their top-four hopes here if they lose.

T. Alexander-Arnold

Yellow Card

66' Alexander-Arnold prevents a Villa break with an industrial challenge on Ramsey, and is booked.

E. Buendía

Álex Moreno

65' Those injury problems force an early exit for Moreno. Buendia takes his place for Villa.

Diogo Jota

C. Jones

63' Jota replaces Jones in Liverpool's first change of the game.

62' Martinez rises and picks off a Liverpool corner again. Villa have problems in the defensive department though, with a few of their players moving quite gingerly.

61' Aston Villa have won their last away league game in just two of the last 20 seasons, beating Spurs 2-1 in 2020-21 and Arsenal by the same score in 2010-11.

59' Liverpool survive a Villa corner down the other end and promptly motor back upfield. The visitors are smart in defence again however. Unai Emery applauds them.

57' No goal! Van Dijk is deemed to have been offside after he impacted play in the build-up, and Liverpool see their effort chalked off. Villa survive.

55' Have Liverpool got their equaliser? A corner for the Reds sees them pile players into the box, and a slew of half-chances are deflected or hit the woodwork. Gakpo eventually pokes it into the roof of the net, but VAR wants a look for an offside call.

A. Young

L. Bailey

53' Young takes Bailey's spot as the visitors make a second swap.

Álex Moreno

L. Digne

53' Moreno replaces Digne in Villa's first change.

L. Digne

Yellow Card

52' There's a booking for Digne now, shortly before he is due to be withdrawn.

52' Now it is Alisson's turn to shout at his players, with the Liverpool goalkeeper frustrated by a soft Villa break through the middle that forces him into action.

51' Salah finally pushes a shot towards goal but Martinez is smart enough to read it well. The World Cup winner barks at his defenders in frustration.

50' Gakpo overcooks himself in midfield, and Villa get a free-kick as a result. The visitors ease themselves out of immediate danger for the moment.

48' Martinez will be expecting a busier stint between the posts this half. Liverpool's failure to seriously test him is something Jurgen Klopp will seek to address.

46' We are back underway at Anfield. Can Liverpool find an equaliser in this one or will Villa cling on for a big result?

That was closer to an hour of football than it was a regulation half, when all is said and done. On a hot day, it will be fascinating to see if that has any bearing down the line.

Jacob Ramsey's diving header is the difference in a lively Premier League encounter between Liverpool and Aston Villa. In a match that could shape the European race, however, there's still plenty left to play for. At half-time, it is Liverpool 0-1 Aston Villa.

45' + 9' HALF-TIME: LIVERPOOL 0-1 ASTON VILLA

45' + 7' Free-kick for Villa! A break downfield allows the visitors to ease the pressure. They're nearly at the break.

45' + 5' Villa continue to defend. Every block is met with a roar from them. You'd think it was full-time approaching, not half-time.

45' + 3' The resulting free-kick from that foul is eventually taken and Villa head it away. There's whistles and jeers in the crowd right now, though who for remains to be seen.

45' + 1' No further intervention from VAR, and it will stay as a yellow card. We'll have five added minutes in this one.

T. Mings

Yellow Card

45' Mings kicks high for a loose ball and catches Gakpo in the chest. He gets a yellow card for his efforts, but Liverpool want a red. VAR will take a look...

44' Villa's patience pays off, and they win a goal-kick. It's going to take more of that to keep the Reds at bay.

42' Liverpool are throwing everything at the Villa box now, with Salah leading the attack around the edges. Balls are being steadfastly defended by the visitors, but they are sweating right now.

40' Diaz! Arguably the best chance of the game now for Liverpool, but their forward cannot keep his header down as he loops it wide to the right, leaving Martinez untested.

39' Oh, that is an excellent bit of invention from the set-piece by Villa, who play it down the short side to Ramsey rather than aim for the wall in the box. Alisson is alert and gets a good stop on it.

38' Fabinho puts a fairly needless shove on in the tackle and the free-kick goes to Villa. McGinn is pretty unhappy with the decision-making process so far, and lets the referee know.

36' Gakpo almost brings the ball under control on the lip of the Villa box, before Konsa sweeps in and ferries it to safety. Liverpool are getting a little frustrated right now.

35' Bailey is back on his feet and fit to carry on. The game resumes.

33' Bailey takes a tumble in a high challenge with Robinson, and the game comes to a halt for him to receive medical attention.

31' A Liverpool corner sees Konate have a half-chance blocked, before the Reds continue to threaten around the edge of the area. Jurgen Klopp is making some big gestures from his perch.

29' That goal has ignited Anfield into full voice once more, and Liverpool pour forward, looking for an immediate response. Villa's defence is going to have some work to do before the break.

Douglas Luiz

Assist

27' Douglas Luiz was the man who supplied that second cross, the decisive ball through to the far side of the six-yard area. He weighted it wonderfully, and his side have their reward.

J. Ramsey

Goal

27' GOAL! ASTON VILLA SEIZE THE LEAD! 1-0! Now the visitors get their breakthrough! It's Ramsey with a diving header, after Liverpool fail to clear their box, ghosting between two defenders to slot it in at the left post. Terrific stuff!

26' More than halfway through the first half, and it will be interesting to know who is the happier boss of the two. After that penalty miss, Jurgen Klopp will likely be breathing a sigh of relief.

24' Villa seek to make immediate amends with another breakaway, this time after Diaz is dislodged roughly of possession inside the opposition half. Alisson has to dart out of his box to mop up.

O. Watkins

Penalty Miss

22' Penalty Miss Oliver George Arthur Watkins

Penalty Miss

22' Miss! Oh, that is a horrible penalty to scuff from Watkins! Villa miss the chance to go ahead as the forward puts a powerful strike wide of the right post by half-a-foot or so. A let-off for Liverpool.

I. Konaté

Yellow Card

20' It is a yellow card for Konate after his challenge on Watkins too, having conceded the penalty. The latter will take the spot-kick.

20' Penalty to Villa! The visitors unlock a wonderful counter-attack and send Watkins down the left wing. As he canters into the box, Konate comes in to cover him and instead commits the foul.

18' More than a quarter-hour into this contest and there has not been too many clear-cut chances so far. There is a slightly restless edge to both teams as they square off.

16' Liverpool have won their final home game in each of the last six Premier League campaigns. Will they get another one here?

14' Liverpool ably defend the set-piece, though an exchange of long balls almost catches Alisson out a moment later. The goalkeeper will want to keep matters safe in his area.

13' Villa pick up another corner, and their blue shirts shuffle into the box. Both sets of fans are in fine voice for this one.

11' The visitors are playing dangerously around the lip of their own box, and are almost cut open by the Reds as they pressure them backwards. It's risky business.

9' A Villa corner helps the visitors get the momentum back in this match, but Liverpool ably defend their lines after they opt to play it short.

7' Watkins needs prolonged attention from the doctors, but is eventually cleared to continue and the game restarts.

5' A Liverpool free-kick deep on the left wing is spun into the box, and ends with a clash of heads between Van Dijk and Watkins. Both are attended to by medics.

4' There's a lively bite already to this match. Tottenham's slip-up earlier today means Villa will go seventh with a draw, and edge closer to Europe. They'll want this.

2' Diaz offers an early opportunity as he brings down a long ball near the edge of the box. The linesman's flag goes up however, and rightfully cites him for offside.

1' We are underway in this Premier League clash between Liverpool and Aston Villa!

The teams are out and we are moments away from kick-off.

It's a beautiful day in Liverpool, and the sun is shining down on Anfield. This could be a cracker, as the teams prepare to take to the field.

Liverpool have lost six Premier League home games against Aston Villa overall, only losing more often at Anfield in the competition against Manchester United (12) and Chelsea (7).

This has not been a happy hunting ground for Villa. Having won three and lost just one of their six Premier League visits to Anfield between 2009-10 and 2014-15, they have lost their last four here in the league.

Subs: Ashley Young, Viljami Sinisalo, Jhon Duran, Alex Moreno, Bertrand Traore, Robin Olsen, Leander Dendoncker, Emiliano Buendia.

ASTON VILLA (4-4-2): Emiliano Martinez; Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings, Lucas Digne; John McGinn, Boubacar Kamara, Douglas Luiz, Jacob Ramsey; Leon Bailey, Ollie Watkins.

Subs: Harvey Elliott, Roberto Firmino, Joe Gomez, Diogo Jota, Caoimhin Kelleher, Konstantinos Tsimikas, James Milner, Fabio Carvalho, Joel Matip.

LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Alisson; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Andrew Robertson; Curtis Jones, Fabinho, Jordan Henderson; Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz.

Villa meanwhile make three swaps to their side, with two at the back and one in the middle. Matty Cash and Lucas Digne both come into defence, while Boubacar Kamara is added in midfield. Ashley Young, Alex Moreno and Emiliano Buendia miss out.

It's an unchanged line-up to start from Klopp this week, though Roberto Firmino is back on the bench following injury. Only James Milner joins him among the departing players however, with Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain overlooked.

To do so however, they'll have to overcome one of the surprise packages of the season in Aston Villa. Ever since Unai Emery took the reins at Villa Park, they have been a side transformed, and are chasing European dreams of their own.

After a difficult season that saw them mired in mid-table and out of the silverware hunt at one point, Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp could yet secure Champions League football again. Fate is out of their own hands, but they can still make their own luck.

With just a few games left in the campaign, the title looks set to be headed back to Manchester City once again this term. But their long-term rivals are seeking for a moderate success story to cap a tough year.

Hello and welcome to live coverage of the 2022-23 Premier League season, as Liverpool look to push on in their pursuit of the top four against Aston Villa at Anfield!

Liverpool v Aston Villa Live Commentary, 20/05/2023

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