Liverpool were held to a 2-2 draw at Aston Villa as the Premier League leaders dropped points to give Arsenal hope in the title race.

Substitute Darwin Nunez had a great chance to score a late winner but blazed over as Trent Alexander-Arnold's second-half deflected strike earned Liverpool a point to stretch their advantage to eight points having played a game more than Arsenal.

"There is one person in the dressing room that feels quite down.

Ollie Watkins headed Villa into the lead just before half-time as they came from behind after gifting Mohamed Salah the opener, but the visitors were only ahead for nine minutes before Youri Tielemans equalised.

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Liverpool now face big games at Manchester City, live on Sky Sports this Sunday, and Newcastle in the Premier League as the title race hots up, with Arsenal knowing they can close the gap to five points.

Aston Villa remain in ninth, four points away from fifth, which as it stands would be enough to secure Champions League football, after pushing the leaders all the way despite a host of defensive injuries.

Player ratings

Aston Villa: Martinez (8), Garcia (6), Disasi (7), Mings (5), Digne (7), McGinn (7), Tielemans (8), Rogers (7), Asensio (6), Rashford (8), Watkins (8).

Diogo Jota missed a glorious chance to restore Liverpool's lead instantly after Villa levelled, but completely miscued his strike when through on goal against Emi Martinez.

Andres Garcia, signed by Villa in the winter transfer window, was at fault for Liverpool's opener as he passed the ball to Jota, who squared for Salah to score his 24th league goal of the season.

The goal had been coming with Villa sloppy in their build-up play.

"We are taking some risk and avoiding it a lot of the time," Villa boss Unai Emery said after the game to TNT Sports.

Their second chance was a goal, was a cross, but they may have won it in the final moments but when you put all the chances together, I am not happy with the 2-2.

"It matters where we are in the league table but the pressure is always on if you are Liverpool!

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

"We should have scored 3-2, but credit to Aston Villa, they made it very difficult.

"We have a very tough one on the weekend again, then we play Newcastle, our focus now will be on Man City, a very difficult game, we know that.

"Do everything in your power to win games, the focus will be that on Sunday again."

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