Premier League Match: Score Draws to 3-3 Between Aston Villa and Liverpool
In an unexpected turn of events, Aston Villa held their ground against Liverpool leading to a 3-3 draw, courtesy of two crucial goals by the substitute player Jhon Durán. This unexpected draw is a treasured gain for Aston Villa, increasing Unai Emery’s interest in the game between Manchester City and Tottenham, placed fifth, on Tuesday.
Aston Villa commenced on a weak note, with Emiliano Martínez scoring an own goal. Despite an equalising effort by Youri Tielemans to brush off Liverpool’s inaugural goal, Cody Gakpo and Jarell Quansah managed to push Liverpool ahead before Durán changed the course of the game.
The pre-match atmosphere was electric, fuelled by a swirling banner in the centre-circle accompanied by Jeff Beck’s music. Aston Villa aspires to compete for the Champions League next season. According to neutral spectators, the league’s remaining exciting storyline-the prolonged tussle for the fourth position-might potentially last until the final day. On this decisive day, Aston Villa will be playing against Crystal Palace while Sheffield United faces Tottenham. However, there’s a catch – a home victory is a must for Tottenham against the champions.
Starting the game with a 62-second goal yielded by the goalie’s mishap was a buzzkill. Tielemans, just recovered from a groin injury, lost control of the ball at halfway. This allowed Harvey Elliott to speed upfield, team up with Mohamed Salah and send a seemingly harmless cross from the right. The ball touched Pau Torres’s left shoulder, confusing Martínez at the near post. Despite trying to get hold of the ball, Martínez lost it and couldn’t recover the damage with his right glove.
The away crowd expressed their devoted appreciation for Klopp with chants of “I’m so glad that Jürgen is a Red,” on his last away day as the manager. Martínez’s mistake came as a shock to the home fans, however, they quickly recovered with Hollywood actor Tom Hanks, an Aston Villa’s enthusiast, leading the standing ovation from the directors’ box. England Under-21s manager Lee Carsley, Gareth Southgate, and Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna kept a composed posture amongst the spectators.
In a contest with Quansah, Ollie Watkins of Villa skillfully beat him to the byline, setting up Tielemans who landed a flawless strike. Villa held the simple task of winning to qualify for the Champions League, a task that was easier said than done. Emery raged at the sidelines, fully recognising the importance of a tie.
Nevertheless, Villa fumbled once again, just 11 minutes after balancing the score, leaving Emery with a tired expression. Liverpool managed to score yet the celebration lacked enthusiasm, including a somewhat subdued response from the lively away support. Gakpo, who managed to regain the lead for Liverpool, just received a series of subdued high-fives. The lukewarm response was partially attributed to the lengthy pause for video assistant referee, Chris Kavanagh, to validate that Joe Gomez remained onside during the build-up. In the attack, Luis Díaz managed to find Gomez, who in turn located an unmarked Gakpo at the back post.
From Villa’s point-of-view, it was an exasperating goal, especially after opportunities to score in the preceding minutes. An intelligent pass from Leon Bailey to Watkins was blocked by Quansah, and an opportunity by Moussa Diaby- who missed a goal near the half-time whistle- was gifted to Bailey instead. Bailey evaded Wataru Endo but collided with the towering Quansah who diffused the threat.
Villa’s prime opportunity to even out the first-half score happened 36 minutes in, but the valuable chance was squandered by Diego Carlos in what could be the season’s worst miss. Carlos was unsuccessful in turning Bailey’s cross into a goal and just got a minimal touch on the ball, sending it wide and keeping it out of reach from Watkins who was closely trailing. To Carlos’s dismay, the replays on the large screens simply confirmed his unfortunate blunder.
Aston Villa, who started second half unimpressively, to say the least, found themselves on the receiving end once again as Liverpool’s Quansah headed home from Elliott’s free-kick in the 48th minute, a shot that ricocheted off the post. The Villa defender Digne didn’t do enough to block Liverpool’s centre back’s clean shot off a cross by Elliott in the far post. An anticipated fourth goal from Liverpool via Elliott at 59 minutes was disallowed, VAR ruling Gakpo’s latch onto Alexis Mac Allister’s central pass as offside.
The blame for defeat was apparently Villa’s, their loose marking rendered one of the world’s most forceful attack teams with profitable opportunities. But when Duran substituted the injured Zaniolò at 79 minutes, no one, not even Emery with his inspirational rhetoric, could predict the proceeding events. Klopp’s flawless departure – which has been a reoccurring theme this season – was tarnished. Aston Villa, on the other hand, is nearing their return to the height of European football, a platform Klopp is vastly familiar with. “Thanks for everything,” was the message on a banner shown by the travelling supporters. Klopp in response, tipped his black cap, a kind farewell gesture. – Guardian