Yahoo News John Townley's Aston Villa player ratings after dramatic 3-3 draw with Liverpool
Aston Villa have moved one point closer to Champions League qualification by drawing 3-3 with Liverpool after Jhon Duran came off the bench to score a brace at the Holte End.
The game appeared to be petering out after VAR chalked off Ollie Waktins’ goal minutes after Liverpool added a third through Jarrell Quansah. But Duran had other ideas and rescued a point in the club’s pursuit of a top four finish.
Villa’s place in the top four will be confirmed on Tuesday night if Tottenham fail to beat Manchester City at home, otherwise, the race for fourth will go down to the last day when Spurs play at Sheffield United and Villa take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
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Liverpool started the better of the two sides at Villa Park after going a goal up early on when Emi Martinez made a rare howler, dropping the ball into the goal after Harvey Elliot’s cross deflected off Pau Torres. Villa weren’t behind for long as Youri Tielemans restored parity in the 12th minute. After excellent work from Watkins down the left channel, the striker played the ball on a plate for Tielemans to slam beyond Alisson.
Watkins and Leon Bailey then both passed up on opportunities to take the lead from close range, before Liverpool regained the lead. Cody Gakpo tapped in at the back post after Martinez parried Joe Gomez’s effort.
Villa should have been on level terms heading into the break as Diego Carlos missed a sitter, somehow failing to tap Bailey’s cross in from just a couple of yards out. The ball flashed agonisingly wide when it really would have been easier for the centre-back to score.
Moussa Diaby also went close towards the end of the first half as he blazed over the bar after facing Alisson in a one-on-one.
Villa were made to pay for their missed chances when Jarrell Quansah added a third for the visitors by heading in Elliott’s free-kick. Watkins thought he had reduced Villa’s deficit moments later, but after he tapped in Bailey’s cross, VAR chalked the goal off after the winger had strayed into an offside position in the build-up.
Villa put up a fight throughout and managed to score a second through Duran in the 85th minute as he drilled past Alisson from the edge of the box after Calum Chambers won the ball high up. The roof lifted off Villa Park just three minutes later as Diaby's through ball deflected off Duran and into the net.
Player ratings
Emi Martinez
His uncharacteristic error handed Liverpool an early lead as he dropped the ball into his own goal. Martinez might even be frustrated he didn't do more to keep the ball away from Gakpo when the Dutchman scored Liverpool's second. He made a few top saves late on. 6
Ezri Konsa
Konsa at right-back tonight and was Emery's only option in that position after Matty Cash sustained a calf injury in training on Sunday. 6
Diego Carlos
His distribution of the ball could have been better in the first half. He missed a sitter 10 minutes from half-time when he stuck his foot out just yards from goal, but couldn't turn Bailey's cross into the empty net. Carlos made a rash foul on Gakpo which led to Liverpool's third. 5
Pau Torres
Torres played a few Liverpool players onside - including Quansah - from a free-kick which led to Liverpool's third goal of the night. Used the ball well as he so often does. 6
Lucas Digne
Digne had the unenviable task of keeping a lid on Salah, which few full-backs are able to do. 6
Douglas Luiz
Luiz was pressed heavily in the middle of the park, but coped well and used the ball effectively. 6
Youri Tielemans
Marked his return to the XI with a goal and a strong performance which showed everyone what Villa had been missing in recent games. 7
Leon Bailey
Bailey was a constant threat for Liverpool for an hour and took up some dangerous positions between the lines. He passed up on two chances to score before Liverpool bagged their second. 8
John McGinn
McGinn had nothing left in the tank come full-time. He covered every blade of grass on the night. 8
Moussa Diaby
Diaby blazed over the bar as he faced Alisson in a one-on-one at the end of the second half. Despite that, he was a threat and was lively throughout the first half. 8
Ollie Watkins
Had a good chance to score Villa's second of the night, but his effort from close range was blocked. Watkins thought he bagged his 20th league goal of the season shortly after half-time, but VAR chalked it off for an offside earlier in Villa's move. 7
SUBS
Nicolo Zaniolo (for Tielemans, 65'): The Italian had a good chance to make it 3-2 a few minutes after coming on, but his effort from the edge of the box wasn't enough to worry Alisson. He came off injured shortly after. N/A
Jhon Duran (for Zaniolo, 80'): Reduced Villa's deficit a few minutes after coming on with a smart finish from the edge of the box, before then drawing level moments later. He causes chaos! 9
Calum Chambers (for Luiz, 80'): Won the ball high up to allow Villa to score their second. 7
Subs not used: Olsen, Lenglet, Kesler-Hayden, Iroegbunam, Munroe, Kellyman.
GOALS
Aston Villa: Tielemans (12'), Duran (85', 88')
Liverpool: Martinez OG (2'), Gakpo (23'), Quansah (48')
WHAT'S NEXT?
Villa will take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on the final day of the Premier League season at 4pm on Sunday, May 19.
