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Ten points clear with 12 games to go would have almost certainly put Liverpool, without a completely convincing title rival, on course for a second Premier League title before February is even out.

But Darwin’s gonna Darwin - Nunez has had a telling contribution in several Liverpool victories this term, but that penchant for the most calamitous misses never ceases to amaze.

The Uruguayan missed 27 big chances last term, but few as glaring as the one that could, and should, have earned Liverpool victory that had the potential to end the title race as a contest.

Had Mohamed Salah been on the end of Dominik Szoboszlai’s pass late on in front of the Holte End, however, you could call the open-top bus company and start concentrating on what other trophies will accompany the Premier League crown in May.

Nunez also had a chance to round Martinez, who was off his line (Getty Images)

After a sluggish outing in a narrow win over Wolves last time out, it was clear from the outset Liverpool were in the Midlands with a point to prove.

With Villa left chasing shadows, Virgil van Dijk had skied an effort from a good position and Diogo Jota’s free header flashed wide before six minutes was even on the clock.

Other than the Saudi riches on offer, part of the reason Jhon Duran left Villa in January is due to a lack of game time, with Unai Emery stoic in his insistence on going with one central striker and one central striker only.

When Marcus Rashford was brought in and given the number nine shirt, that hope for more first-team football after ending his Old Trafford appeared to be forlorn.

But having achieved what Duran could rarely do under Emery – a starting berth alongside Ollie Watkins against Liverpool – the loanee’s role in the team may be more facilitator than central hitman.

In happier times at the start of this season, Rashford was Manchester United’s best creative threat, setting up more big chances in the first three months of the campaign than any team-mate.

He is now the first player to net 15 away goals in a league season for Liverpool since 1930-31.

Salah had fired Liverpool in front after a Villa error (REUTERS)

The previous seven meetings between Villa and Liverpool had averaged 4.7 goals per game, and it was clear, given how expansive both teams were playing, Salah’s opener was never going to be a solitary strike.

Rashford was at the heart of Villa’s leveller, with Liverpool unable to clear his fizzing free-kick in the 38th minute and Youri Tielemans was on hand to smash home.

Watkins has not earned the trust from his manager without reason, however.

It could have been three early in the second half after Alisson’s race from his goal had been ill-judged, but Rashford’s goalbound chip was cleared by Ibrahima Konate.

Rashford was bright off the left wing for Villa, on his first start for the club (REUTERS)But Watkins remains the main man and equalised with a free header (Action Images via Reuters)

Villa needed that third, with Liverpool retaining their attacking threat, even if their backline was more disjointed.
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