Aston Villa v Liverpool - Premier League: RECAP of score, team news and updates as Reds miss the chance to go 10 points clear of Arsenal after Darwin Nunez blew a glorious opportunity to win thriller at Villa Park

Once again, we were treated to an exhilarating clash between Aston Villa and Liverpool.

A draw doesn't do either side massive favours, but at least it keep their campaigns ticking over, and on balance, it was probably a fair reflection of proceedings, as Unai Emery said.

Darwin Nunez and Donyell Malen both had late chances to win it for their sides, but it wasn't to be.

You can read the full match story below. Bye for now.

Escaping tonight with a point was ultimately good result for the Reds. I don't think they were anywhere near as dominant as Slot seemed to suggest. They didn't even have half of the ball, though they did have 17 shots to Aston Villa's nine.

• Sunday February 23 - Man City (a)
• Wednesday February 26 - Newcastle (h)

Then they wait until March 8 to host Southampton!

'He doesn't think about the game enough. He's missed the target, criminally, from seven or eight yards.'

It's safe to say Fowler is a harsh critic of Nunez tonight.

In fairness to Nunez, Disasi's presence made the chance harder than he is being given credit for, but ultimately, at Premier League level, you're not going to get many easier chances than the one he had tonight.

While we're enjoying the Salah love-in, how about this, Reds fans?

Salah has become the first Liverpool star to score 15 away goals in a Premier League season.

At home, on the road, it has been an outstanding campaign for the Egyptian. Records have crumbled under his foot. They should be doing everything to keep him, in my opinion.

Salah has now scored and assisted in 10 different games this season, becoming the first player do so since Messi in 2014-15 (when Messi did so 11 times). Messi scored 58 times that season and won the Treble with Barcelona.

Thanks to Opta for the head-up.

Mail Sport's Lewis Steele was grading all the players at Villa Park.

You can find out what your favourite star scored below.

Speaking to TNT Sports:

'The draw is fair for both teams. Against Liverpool, you have to compete until the last moment. We did it well and came back and were excited for the second half.

'The last minute, we were close. The last 20 minutes, we were getting more options to win.'

(On Garcia's error) 'I try to get the best out of our tactical idea. Some actions like that are naive and we're taking risks. But we are not changing and we have to work to improve. '

Villa have now committed 12 errors which have led to goals this season, a total which only Southampton can exceeed with 17. Half the teams in the league have committed six or fewer.

'Not so happy to be honest. We did everything we had to do to get a result over here. The only thing that wasn't perfect was conceding a set piece.

'Set pieces are never ideal, if you want to win a big game, you have to balance your set pieces, i.e., score one if they score one.

'If you put all the chances in a row, it's clear I'm not happy with the 2-2.

'They were a constant threat and that's why we were happy with the way we defended it. They brought in two or three new strikers in the winter break. We were close to playing a very, very, very good game except for the set piece we conceded.'

Arne Slot appears to be saying that Darwin Nunez is crestfallen in the dressing room after he spurned a chance with an open goal - albeit under extreme pressure from Disasi.

Speaking to TNT Sports:

If you look at the chances we had to go in front in the second half, there's one person in the dressing room who feels quite down, and you know who it is I think.

It's a hard one to interpret for the Reds. Yes, they've retained their unbeaten record away from home, and yes, they're eight points ahead of Arsenal, but that gap can be slashed to five points and they struggled at times tonight.

Speaking to TNT Sports

'We're disappointed but we fought, had chances to win the game, took a bit of risk at the end. We take a point and move on and focus on a big one at the weekend.

'We did quite well (first half), created good opprtunities to score the second, disappointing to concede from a set piece.

'We tried everything tonight but unfortunately it wasn't enough for three points.

'It was well deserved (equaliser), even after that we should have made it 3-2.

'It's physical for everyone, that's part of the game. Our focus now will be on Man City, very difficult game but we have to fight for each and every second on the pitch. We need everyne in their best shape, players and fans.'

90+5

Oh. My. Word. Donyell Malen, take a bow - almost.

He almost made himself a hero, slaloming through legs towards the Liverpool goal and unleashing a shot from outside the box. It flashes across Alisson's goal but just misses the far post. That would have been spectacular had it nestled in Alisson's right corner.

90+3

Emery has his hed in his hands! Ramsey has just blasted over from close range. Villa kept the ball alive after the corner, with Mings turning into prime Messi or Drogba keeping hold off the ball for a few seconds, but Ramsey couldn't hold his cool as he was closed down. Last chance of the game?

90+2

Aston Villa are the ones who look the most likely to win. They've got a corner here...

A moment of worry for Conor Bradley who pulled up with a muscular issue, perhaps his calf or hamstring. He's had to come off for Jarell Quansah.

He could still move independently, but still a shame for the youngster after coming on this half.

There's a big chance here for Lamare Bogarde as the 21-year-old comes on for his sixth Premier League appearances, replacing captain John McGinn and, as you may guess, not taking the armband.

He's never scored a Premier League goal... tonight wouldn't be a bad one for his first.

Ramsey thought he had won it there for the briefest of moments, but the flag went up to call him offside.

Liverpool can breathe a huge sigh of relief.

A disjointed break there from Liverpool costs them a potential chance.

Alisson claimed a wayward cross from Malen and immediately launched it upfield for Salah.

He held onto the ball waiting for support, and played it back to Nunez, but he passes it out of play expecting a run from Szoboszlai to his right.

Aston Villa try a unique move from a corner, packing most of their men really tightly to the near post them peeling away, but Liverpool get a big head on it and the ball is away. They're not the best at defending from set-pieces so it's right for Villa to try something there.

Szoboszlai has come into a more central role and is the fulcrum of this Liverpool team tonight, driving towards goal and creating chances, but Villa have been marking him tightly to try and snuff out his threat.

Meanwhile, Aston VIlla bring on Maatsen for Digne.

Alisson has kept the scores level there as he rushed off his line to smother an effort from substitute Donyell Malen.

The game lost a bit of energy earlier this half but it looks end-to-end again and the subs have injected fresh impetus. It's hard to call a winner.

Oh dear, one to add to Nunez's catalogue of gaffes.

He's fluffed his lines on a virtually open goal from seven yards.

Bradley cut Villa apart with one pass through the middle to Szoboszlai, who carried the ball into the area. Martinez came rushing out, but he played it left to Nunez, and under pressure from Disasi, he blasted wide.

ASTON VILLA:

On: Ramsey, Malen, Cash

OFF: Rashford, Asensio, Garcia

LIVERPOOL:

On: Bradley, Nunez

Off: Alexander-Arnold, Jota

Liverpool are in the ascendancy now and Salah's feet are whirring, with some intricate play in the box leading to a chance for Robertson, whose shot is blocked for a corner.

And Liverpool are level, via a mighty deflection!

Alexander-Arnold and Salah marauded down the right flank, and the Egyptian set up the full back, who hits home his third of the season after it bounces off Mings.

So close from Jota!

The Liverpool man picked up the ball in the D, turned inside, and curled a high shot towards goal, but it crashes off he bar. A goal-kick awarded, though it may have just whiskered off Mings.

John McGinn seems to be Liverpool's tormenter-in-chief this half as he tumbles over next to Konate while defending a corner, also causing Martinez to go to ground.

Liverpool make nothing of their corner, with Robertson diverting an effort over the bar.

It's the counter-attacks where Villa are hitting Liverpool.

Rashford looks about five years younger and already has a good understanding with his team-mates, though he tries to curl one pass with the outside of his boot and sends it, comically, as far away from anybody as possible towards the Liverpool goal-line.

Alisson owes Konate a slice of his pay packet!

The Liverpool custodian came charging out into no man's land to meet the ball on the left flank but missed it completely, giving Rashford a chance to snipe a shot from around 25 yards.

It was either curling in an the near post or just destined for the side netting, but Konate heads away so we don't find out.

A very agricultural challenge from Asensio on Mac Allister as he darts towards the edge of the area. He's fortunate to avoid a yellow for that, really hacked the Liverpool man down.

Mac Allister floats a cross in, but despite Van Dijk's desperate attempts to keep it in, it's long and out for a goal kick.

Villa have got us going again and it's a monumental half of football for Liverpool. Lose here and Arsenal will have a game in hand to cut the gap to four points.

As the teams headed down the tunnel, Liverpool sub Luis Diaz tapped referee Craig Pawson on the shoulder and said his piece to the official.

Liverpool were clearly unhappy with the build-up to that second Villa goal, when the ball struck McGinn’s hand but Pawson allowed play to continue.

With sharper finishing, Liverpool would be leading here but somehow find themselves behind.

Scenes. Garcia will be one relieved man after Tielemans and Watkins' goals.

The fear was that Villa were set up way too attacking for this one, but no, they've played like kings. Considering their record against Liverpool, this is phenomenal.

Quite unbelievable scenes as Villa have turned the game on its head, and Liverpool look nowhere near good enough. All three shots on target have gone in.

Villa Park erupts as Ollie Watkins heads in in the dying moments of the half!

It was a sublime cross from Digne, who was under no pressure from the left, and Van Dijk was nowhere near close enough to Watkins, who dircts the ball into the corner.

There is some outrage after McGinn appeared to handle the ball earlier, but it was deemed accidental and too far back anyway.

45+2

Tell you what, Aston Villa are being really aggressive with their press. Liverpool are struggling to get out of their half. Salah tries a speculative curling ball through to Jota, but it's intercepted.

Villa have turned up the heat.

Well, this fixture always gives us goals, and tonight looks another enthralling encounter.

Villa are Liverpool's equal so far and Emery's attacking set-up has worked. The goal they conceded sprung from an error, not a tactical deficiency. Rashford has been hard to deal with and has combined nicely with Asensio. It's anybody's game.

Tielemans swings home a half-volley from close range after Liverpool failed to deal with a free-kick. Game on!

The hosts kept the ball alive in the box and Szboboszlai faild to clear the ball adequately, with it falling for the Belgian, and he executes his shot perfectly past Alisson.

We've got the clip. Not one Villa fans will want to watch back.

Liverpool fans are in full song with a thunderous rendition of 'Allez, allez, allez'. That was the lift they needed.

Villa are well in the game but shot themselves in the foot there. What was Garcia thinking? And why did he stick his head straight in his hands rather than get after the ball?

An awful error from Garcia, who holds his head in his hands.

The right-back turned towards his own goal and played a limp back pass straight to Jota on the edge of the area. He races towards goal and plays it across to Salah, who sweeps it into the net.

Another defensive howler from Villa.

Mac Allister is feeling the full force of Villa Park tonight! There are boos after he went down under a challenge from Garcia, but the defender did seem to trip him up and I think that was a fair fall.

Robertson had an entire kingdom to himself on the left flank and plenty of time to pick out his cross. He curled one onto the head off Mohamed Salah, but the forward pinged it over the bar from inside the box.

Decent chance, that. Robertson looking like Liverpool's main outlet so far.

Mac Allister went down hiding his face and Axel Disasi has been shown a yellow card, seemingly for pushing him in his face to the floor.

The Liverpool midfielder looked extremely eager to get physical with Disasi and the Villa star, who was waiting to attack a corner, almost looked like he shrugged him off irritatedly.

Mac Allister dropped like a lead balloon and looks fuming that the punishment wasn't more, but I think he provoked the situation.

Superb work from Emi Martinez, who flies off his line and closes down Szoboszlai to deny him any space as he gets his shot away. Rapid reactions and much-needed.

Aston Villa could not get out of their own defensive third for the first five minutes but have settled since and Marcus Rashford is causing problems.

As I type this he has created a goal that has been chalked off for offside. Excellent from the former Manchester United man, though, and Trent Alexander-Arnold is struggling.

Well, Villa were nearly 1-0 up there!

Some beautiful interplay down the left, with Rashford playing a one-two with Asensio, and the Englishman plays a ball across for Watkins to tap home, but he was played off by Van Dijk. A warning sign, though.

This is a physical game. Szoboszlai has just been penalised for a rough-and-tumble pull on Tielemans, practically hauling the Belgian several yards across the turf.

The Hungarian looks bemused but he can't have any complaints about that.

Alisson makes a save from a cross as Villa attack after the free-kick.

Huge interception by Konate as he cuts out an incisive ball from Rashford which was bound for Asensio, who was just yards through on goal. The Spaniard would have had a free hit at goal.

Rashford comes back at Konate with a crunching challenge but the referee waves play on.

Good defending from Robertson as he keeps up with Rogers and blocks his cross. Villa settling into the game more now after being on the back foot for the first few minutes. But Rashford was a bit pedestrian in possession down the right flank and let go of the ball.

Aston Villa have enjoyed their first venture forward, with Rogers, Asensio, Rashford, and Tielemans all getting involved, but they meet a brick wall of white shirts.

Another corner and Mac Allister swings one into the area this time. Liverpool initially deal with it but Liverpool come again down the right and Salah cuts it back to Jota, who unleashes a shot, but it's blocked.

A minute later, Mings challenges the Portuguese just as he's about to shoot and it's out for a goal kick.

That was a lovely corner routine from Liverpool, ending with Van Dijk almost scoring a half-volley!

Mac Allister went short to Salah, who found Jones, who found Trent Alexander-Arnold, and his dink through withthe outside of his foot was beautiful, but Van Dijk blasted over.

Liverpool go long immediately and lose the ball, with Villa finding Rashford, though the visitors regain it quickly in their own half.

Feel like I bang on about it all the time, but why can't the top teams just keep hold of the ball from the kick-off rather than booting it long?

Nice try, TNT Sports. They just had Michael B Jordan on promoting his movie, veiled alongside a promo for their 'midweek madness' of football. Just stick to the game, please.

Among those on TV duty tonight is Liverpool great Robbie Fowler. A player who would have had far more than 26 England appearances had he played in this era rather than the 1990s and 2000s.

Aston Villa have just been playing Luke Littler's walk-on song over the speakers.

Not a fan, personally. It's called 'Greenlight' by Pitbull featuring Flo Rida and Lunchmoney Lewis, though Littler uses a remixed version.

Unpopular opinion, but let's just say the lyrics are extremely unsavoury between the seemingly innocuous choruses!

(On Jones coming in for Diaz) Lucho played three games in seven days because I decided to play him against Plymouth. Now with Cody being out he has to play Wednesday and Sunday again.

They have quality players and brught in a few during the window. Unai is right that these players are ready to start. Rashford was fantastic when he came in. But you face an offensive threat from every opponent.

(Asensio and Rashford) Hopefully they can help us. They're getting better adapting and are a good match for the game.

We have players injured. We have those centre backs today and hopefully they can connect. They have strong qualities and hopefully we can play with personality collectively, keeping possession.

Not long to go now. Get your score predictions over!

Say what you like about him, on his day, Rashford can cause damage. Those days may be less frequent now but this is a fresh start at Villa and an opportunity to prove his doubters wrong.

A devious tactic by Aston Villa to soak their oppoents?

Some of the lads looked like they were hot-footing it out of there after being caught out by a sprinkler before. Ah, boys will be boys!

John McGinn has told TNT Sports how exciting it is having new players coming in with the desire to play in the Champions League.

Must be awkward for Donyell Malen, who was excluded from the European squad after signing from last season's finalists Borussia Dortmund.

'It felt weird adding them (big-name signings) to the group chat! People want to come and play in the latter stages of the Champions League,' said McGinn.

Amadou Onana has told TNT Sports when he is expected back from his thigh injury.

'A couple more weeks but been putting the work in and hopefully getting back soon.

'I'm definitely having a bit of FOMO because it's been relly fun to watch them!'

Salah is up to 47 goal contributions for the season (28 gals, 19 assists), a simply sensational record which surely has to see him among the Ballon d'Or favourites at this rate.

Liverpool are yet to officially tie him down beyond the end of the season, but our very own Ian Herbert writes abut two signs that the Egyptian King is staying put - and why that's of paramount importance.

If you're a Villa fan and a bit squeamish in a footballing sense: skip this.

Villa have won just one of their last 14 Premier League games against Liverpool. That's right. One in 14.

Unai Emery's personal record isn't much better. He's won just one of his 12 encounters with Liverpool in all competitions, losing seven.

Villa are going to have to take a hammer to the recent history books to get a result.

Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has been catching up with TNT Sports:

It will be so hard but today we have to be focused against Villa. We know the quality of this team. We played three days ago, didn't have a lot of rest, but this is the Premier League and we have to be ready for this challenge.

We know the quality of the strikers, but it's not only about these players. They have a very strong team.

We know it will not be easy but we have to give everything and see where we are at the end.

Assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis will tonight officiate his first game featuring Andy Robertson since he infamously 'elbowed' the Scottish full back in April 2023.

Hatzidakis ran the line when Liverpool faced Spurs last month but Robertson didn't play that night.

An interesting team selection from Arne Slot tonight as Dominik Szoboszlai seems to be starting on the left wing.

The Hungary skipper was trialled as a winger in pre-season training sessions, it is believed, so this is hardly an off-the-cuff idea from the Reds. But it will be intriguing to see how Szoboszlai does out there.

Last season's contest at Villa Park was an absolute thriller, at least for those in the Holte End, as Jhon Duran struck twice late on to rescue a point for Villa in their pursuit of Champions League football.

Well, there's no chance of that tonight after they flogged him to Saudi Arabia (well, he's living in Bahrain and flying in to training), but they've got a herd of other wannabe heroes lined up tonight.

Highlights from May below.

Can't get enough of Liverpool?

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Every Wednesday, you'll get extra inside infromation from inside the world of the Reds, making you the most in-the-know fan among your friends.

It's part of our Mail+ offering, but well worth it if you ask me, and you'll also get access to all our other exclusive paywalled content (including stories on Aston Villa!).

Wow, that’s an attacking Villa team. Rashford, Asensio, Rogers, Watkins.

Very bold from Unai Emery, who clearly likes the idea of Rashford one-on-one against Trent Alexander-Arnold.

But what about when Liverpool have the ball, as you expect they will for most of this game?

Three changes for Villa after their 1-1 draw with Ipswich.

Tyrone Mings comes in for Boubacar Kamara at the heart of the defence. Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford also enter while Donyell Malen and Jacob Ramsey exit the stage.

The champions-elect make just one change from the side that beat Wolves 2-1 with Curtis Jones coming in for Luis Diaz, who drops to the bench after his goal.

‘Tonight we welcome the most difficult team on the continent. Arne Slot has had the capacity to make Liverpool even better in the tactical positioning and ball possession.

'Their season is almost perfect. Liverpool seem to be a football machine.’

Arne Slot may well have been slapped with a red card at the Merseyside derby, but the Premier League are yet to decide his fate and he therefore remains in the dugout this evening.

If there's one criticism of Liverpool this campaign, it's that they've become too reliant on Mohamed Salah's goals.

They crumbled against Plymouth when the Egpytian was left at home and needed him to help bail them out against Wolves.

He's scored 38.3 per cent of the team's league goals this season, but against a tough Villa side, surely he needs the supporting cast to step up.

Few men in football can boast a finer record against Liverpool than Marcus Rashford.

He has scored five goals in his eight Premier League home appearances against Liverpool, more than he has against any other side.

The forward netted against them in last seasn's FA Cup quarter-finals.

Could tonight be his turning point for the season?

Tonight's hosts are hoping to arrest a worrying slump which has seen them accrue just three points in their last four Premier League games.

Villa have slipped to ninth in the table and risk dropping out of the Champins League race if they don't find a way to win soon.

Liverpool can elongate their lead over Arsenal to 10 points with a win in the Midlands tonight.

It would almost feel an insurmountable gap, although the Gunners would of course have a game in hand.

And just ask Newcastle whether you can blow a lead by more points...

It's not done until it's done.

Hello all and welcome to Mail Sport's live coverage of Liverpool's trip to Aston Villa in the Premier League.

Tonight we have two teams who don't have to muck about with the European play-offs (ahem, Manchester City) and hope to put on an equal spectacle in the Premier League.