Aston Villa 2 Liverpool 2: Reds drop vital points in title race as Darwin Nunez blows golden chance to win game

SURELY they are not going to blow it. Or could Liverpool really mess this up? To be eight points clear – despite having played a game more than Arsenal – will have been beyond Arne Slot’s wildest dreams when he took over at the start of the season. GettyLiverpool dropped two crucial points at Villa Park[/caption] GettyDarwin Nunez missed a golden chance to give Liverpool the win[/caption] APAston Villa fought hard to earn themselves a result against Europe’s premier team[/caption] But after this draw at Villa Park, and it was actually a real cracker, there will be a few worried Liverpool fans out there, fearing their team are about to deliver one almighty title choke. Mo Salah struck his 29th goal of the season only for Villa to hit back with goals from Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins. Trent Alexander-Arnold equalised with a deflected shot off Tyrone Mings and although both teams had their chances, and Villa came close to grabbing a winner in the 95th minute – defeat for either team would have been harsh. So, after such a stunning season, Liverpool were always going to have a bit of a wobble and here it is. They lost to Plymouth in the FA Cup, drew with Everton and after an unconvincing win over Wolves, failed to beat Unai Emery’s team who had not won any of their previous four Premier League games. Whether Liverpool experience a bit of a blip or a full-scale disaster remains to be seen. But what should be of comfort for Liverpool is that even if they do suffer a mind-blowing confidence crisis, you have to wonder whether Arsenal have what it takes to accept an open invitation to join the title race. On recent evidence, probably not. GettyMohamed Salah opened the scoring[/caption] A nightmare at the back for Aston Villa Liverpool and Mo Salah take advantage of an Andres Garcia mistake to go 1-0 up at Villa Park @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/4xOdPy5mGu— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 19, 2025 GettyYouri Tielemans equalised just nine minutes later[/caption] Aston Villa hit back less than 10 minutes after Liverpool's opener! Youri Tielemans levels the score to send the home crowd wild @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/yi3mRXkM2r— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 19, 2025 CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS But after his team were pushed all of the way in Birmingham, Slot’s side must now prepare for Sunday’s trip to Manchester City and a home game against unpredictable Newcastle next Wednesday. Failure to win both matches and it really will be squeaky bum time. Equally, although they were not at their best, you have to give Villa some credit who did well after conceding early. Marcus Rashford delivered an encouraging performance in his first start and the same applies to new arrival Marco Asensio Yet the start was ominous for Villa as they were battered by Liverpool. Virgil van Dijk delivered a wild finish into the Holte End, Diogo Jota had a goal-bound shot blocked by Tyrone Mings and then steered a a header wide when he was completely unmarked. Van Dijk also avoided being credited with an own goal after sticking Rashford’s cross into his own net as the Villa no 9 – following a one-two with Asensio – was clearly offside. While this was a clear-cut decision, Villa were maybe lucky with some of Craig Pawson’s decisions. Axel Disasi was fortunate to only receive a yellow card after lashing out at Alexis Mac Allister who seemed to get a punch in the head. Yet Liverpool’s moaning soon stopped thanks to a real gift from Andres Garcia who passed the ball straight to Jota who had been looking lively all night. Jota squared to Salah who, having missed an easy header a few moments earlier, lifted the ball into the net. So, Salah’s 29th goal of the season came in the 29th minute and he will not have had an easier one this season. Ref Pawson, though, also upset the locals by not sticking to the letter of the law. Alexander-Arnold somehow avoided a booking for delaying the restart by kicking the ball away. GettyOllie Watkins put Villa ahead before the break with a guided header[/caption] Villa Park erupts as Ollie Watkins puts the home side ahead just before half-time @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/NDvoaKZFVt— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 19, 2025 AFPTrent Alexander-Arnold put Liverpool back level in the second half[/caption] Trent Alexander-Arnold equalises for Liverpool The 26-year-old links up with Mohamed Salah to level the score for the league leaders @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/Bc6AOcMYCN— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 19, 2025 Had he been watching this, Arsenal’s Declan Rice, handed a second yellow card for a more sub

Feb 20, 2025 - 00:45

Aston Villa 2 Liverpool 2: Reds drop vital points in title race as Darwin Nunez blows golden chance to win game

SURELY they are not going to blow it. Or could Liverpool really mess this up?

To be eight points clear – despite having played a game more than Arsenal – will have been beyond Arne Slot’s wildest dreams when he took over at the start of the season.

Liverpool dropped two crucial points at Villa Park[/caption]

Darwin Nunez of Liverpool shoots during a Premier League match.

Darwin Nunez missed a golden chance to give Liverpool the win[/caption]

Aston Villa's John McGinn vying for the ball with Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister.

Aston Villa fought hard to earn themselves a result against Europe’s premier team[/caption]

Aston Villa vs. Liverpool match stats graphic.

But after this draw at Villa Park, and it was actually a real cracker, there will be a few worried Liverpool fans out there, fearing their team are about to deliver one almighty title choke.

Mo Salah struck his 29th goal of the season only for Villa to hit back with goals from Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins.

Trent Alexander-Arnold equalised with a deflected shot off Tyrone Mings and although both teams had their chances, and Villa came close to grabbing a winner in the 95th minute – defeat for either team would have been harsh.

So, after such a stunning season, Liverpool were always going to have a bit of a wobble and here it is.

They lost to Plymouth in the FA Cup, drew with Everton and after an unconvincing win over Wolves, failed to beat Unai Emery’s team who had not won any of their previous four Premier League games.

Whether Liverpool experience a bit of a blip or a full-scale disaster remains to be seen.

But what should be of comfort for Liverpool is that even if they do suffer a mind-blowing confidence crisis, you have to wonder whether Arsenal have what it takes to accept an open invitation to join the title race.

On recent evidence, probably not.