Aston Villa missed the chance to secure their place in next season’s Champions League as they drew 3-3 with Liverpool at Villa Park.
The game got off to the worst possible start for the hosts as Emiliano Martinez put the ball into his own net but they hit back quickly through Youri Tielemans.
Cody Gakpo restored Liverpool’s lead before Jarell Quansah doubled it with a brilliant header after the break.
Mail Sport’s Lewis Steele gives his verdict on how players from both teams performed.
Jhon Duran came off the bench to score twice and rescue a draw for Aston Villa on Monday
ASTON VILLA (4-3-3)
Emiliano Martinez – 6
A howler for Liverpool’s early opener. Could do little about the other two. Good save to deny Szoboszlai in the second half.
Ezri Konsa – 5
Often overran by Diaz, which was the case for Liverpool’s second. Did not offer enough going forward.
Diego Carlos – 5
His chance in the first half had an expected goals (xG) value of 0.99 which, in layman’s terms, is a sitter. Summed up his frustrating night.
Pau Torres – 6
Partly to blame early on for Liverpool’s opener as Elliott’s attempted cross deflected in off him.
Pau Torres was partly at fault for Liverpool’s opening goal in the second minute of the game
Lucas Digne – 6
Often out of position early on as Salah and Co exploited space in behind Villa’s back line.
Youri Tielemans – 7
Thumping finish for Villa’s equaliser but did little after that.
Douglas Luiz – 6
Liverpool won the midfield battle and constantly passed in triangles. Not a great night for Luiz.
Leon Bailey – 7
Made some darting runs but might have done better with a few half-chances that fell his way. Had the better of Gomez overall but lacked the decisive moment.
John McGinn – 6.5 (Booked)
Some lovely moments – including a Maradona turn in the first half and a sumptuous through ball to Diaby – but faded after the break.
Moussa Diaby – 8 (MOTM)
A wonderful footballer who makes this team tick whether from central or wide areas.
Great debut season since his move from Bayer Leverkusen last summer but could not come up with the required magic here – until the dying embers when he teed up Duran.
Moussa Diaby (R) was a livewire throughout the game and played his part in the comeback
Ollie Watkins – 7
Made a lovely run down the channels to create Villa’s equaliser and put in a solid shift overall but did not get the service he so craves.
Substitutes:
Nicolo Zaniolo (for Tielemans, 65) – 5
Jhon Duran (for Zaniolo, 80) – 7.5
Calum Chambers (for Luiz, 80)
Not used: Robin Olsen, Clement Lenglet, Kaine Kesler-Hayden, Tim Iroegbunam, Finley Christoper Ryan Munroe, Omari Kellyman.
LIVERPOOL (4-3-3)
Alisson Becker – 7
Could do little for Tielemans’ early equaliser and, though Villa had a lot of chances, the Brazilian barely had a save to make until the 69th minute when he got down well to deny Zaniolo.
Not at fault for either of Villa’s other goals and made a big save to deny Diaby.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6.5
Dictated play from his half-back role as usual but did not have a huge impact on attacks.
Jarell Quansah – 7.5
Slightly suspect defending as Watkins skinned him early doors but was imperious thereafter.
Amazing to think he was on loan at League One Bristol Rovers last year – this has been a superb breakthrough campaign. Commanding today and a very nice header to score.
Defender Jarrell Quansah capped a fine display at the back with a brilliant headed goal
Virgil van Dijk – 6.5
Dominant defensive display as ever.
Joe Gomez – 6.5
Lovely assist for Liverpool’s second goal and got up down the left flank well in Andy Robertson’s absence. Diaby and Bailey caused him a slightly hard time at the other end.
Harvey Elliott – 7.5
Another very influential performance for Elliott, under the watchful eye of England boss Gareth Southgate.
Highlight was a pitch-perfect cross for Quansah’s goal but he also made the opener. Very impressive.
Harvey Elliott have Gareth Southgate something to think about with his performance
Wataru Endo – 6.5
Had control of the midfield battle without doing anything exceptional.
Alexis Mac Allister – 6.5
Some lovely flicks in midfield in a typical South American performance. Has faded somewhat since the month of March where he was a good bet for Liverpool’s player of the season.
Mohamed Salah – 6.5
Still not at his best but not a bad performance from the Egyptian here, including a sumptuous pass to Diaz in the first half.
Cody Gakpo – 7
In the right place at the right time for his goal, possibly his easiest finish of the season. Links up the attacking play well.
Luis Diaz – 6
Never stopped making runs off the ball and was a constant menace but, as is often the case, lacked end product.
Luis Diaz never stopped running but didn’t make much of the positions he got into
Substitutes:
Dominik Szoboszlai (for Elliott, 75) – 6
Darwin Nunez (for Gakpo, 75) – 6
Curtis Jones (for Diaz, 75) – 6
Ryan Gravenberch (for Endo, 75) – 6
Not used: Caoimhin Kelleher, Ibrahima Konate,, Kostas Tsimikas, Stefan Bajcetic, Conor Bradley.
