Despite a valiant effort, Aston Villa lost 2-0 to Liverpool at Anfield yesterday making it four defeats in a row, in all competitions, for the first time since Unai Emery became manager.
Many Villans, like myself, were dreading the game as the Reds have begun their season on fire, sitting comfortably at the top of the Premier League. It was the 15th win in 17 for Liverpool as football fans start to sit up and take notice.
Report: Liverpool 2-0 Aston Villa
Villa have been struggling for confidence of late but they did make a good effort at Anfield on Saturday evening.
Jacob Ramsey came close first for the visitors but he was left frustrated when his effort was blocked and then Leon Bailey had a chance moments later but headed over the bar.
Ollie Watkins then had a shout for a penalty when he was nudged over by Ibrahima Konate but referee David Cootes was having none of it.
One of Villa’s strengths is set-pieces but it was a downfall for them during this game as Liverpool scored following a counter-attack from a Villa corner. Virgil van Dijk picked up the ball from the corner before releasing Mo Salah to break free. The Egyptian got in a tussle with Bailey and the ball fell to Darwin Nunez who finished high into the Villa goal.
Moments later the home side should have doubled their lead in a carbon copy of the first goal but this time Nunez could only fire his effort high and wide.
Villa didn’t give up, Emery made tactical changes at the break which prevented the home-sides blistering counter-attack and VIlla had a chance to pull the game level early in the second half but Morgan Rogers wasted a good opportunity.
The visitors had another shout for a penalty late on when Konate brought down Pau Torres in the box.
Salah sealed all three points late on to give Liverpool all three points.
What the managers said
Emery: “With VAR, the action was clearly a penalty because he pulled shirt of Pau Torres. I know in Europe this is a penalty but here in England they want to use VAR… I don’t know exactly. Because in this situation the decision was clear.
“I always accept the decisions of the referees but for me it was a clear penalty. And of course, it was a very important moment in the game. If we have the chance to shoot a penalty, maybe the result is different. I accept the decision but I do not agree.”
