Liverpool v Aston Villa LIVE: Premier League result and reaction as Reds return to the top of the table
Liverpool 2-0 Aston Villa: Nunez and Salah strike for the Reds to take them five points clear at the top
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Your support makes all the difference.Liverpool continued Arne Slot’s dream start to his tenure with a confident 2-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday night.
The Reds dominated early on, eventually capitalising as Mo Salah ran clear on the counter and Darwin Nunez collected the ball to fire past Emi Martinez.
Both sides had chances in the rest of the first half, with Villa forcing two great saves from Kelleher, though the first half ended with the home side ahead.
The second half was a far less eventful affair, with Liverpool dominating possesion but both sides finding it difficult to carve out clear-cut chances.
As Villa chased an equaliser, Salah chased a clearance and came off better, with the ball defelcting into his path to take him one-v-one by the halfway line. The Egyptian raced to the Villa box and calmly lifted a chip over Martinez to finish the match and take Liverpool back to the summit of the Premier League.
Follow all the Premier League action with our live blog below:
Liverpool 1-0 Aston Villa
31 mins
Not a lot of action in the moments since the goal, though both sides have threatened at times. Villa win a corner after some good work from Rogers and Bailey.
It’ll be Digne to deliver the set-piece – it’s cleared again and there’s another counter...
Liverpool 1-0 Aston Villa
28 mins
Watkins produces some great hold-up play but there’s more good defending from Konate, who gets goal-side of Rogers to avert the danger.
Liverpool are enjoying plenty of possession at the moment.
Liverpool 1-0 Aston Villa
26 mins
Plenty of counter-attacking from both sides, with the latest breaking down after Konate wins the foot race with Ramsey after a good through ball from Onana.
Liverpool almost carve out a great chance too, as Diaz spreads it wide to Salah, who clips in a great ball that narrowly goes over the head of Nunez at the back post.
Liverpool 1-0 Aston Villa
24 mins
Alexander-Arnold is forced off and Conor Bradley replaces him.
Villa immediately have a chance as the ball falls to Watkins near the edge of the area, but he drags his effort wide of the far post.
Liverpool 1-0 Aston Villa
22 mins
There are brief shouts for a penalty for Villa as Konate goes shoulder-to-shoulder with Watkins, but the referee rightly waves it away.
There’s a brief break in play as Trent Alexander-Arnold needs treatment.
GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Aston Villa
20 mins
GOAL! The hosts are ahead after a scintillating counter-attack!
The corner is cleared and it comes to van Dijk just outside the area. Without even looking, he knows there’ll be options so he knocks it up field into the path of Salah. The Egyptian drives towards goal but is dragged down by Bailey – it looks like a certain red card but Nunez latches onto the loose ball, takes a touch past Martinez and fires in!
Liverpool 0-0 Aston Villa
19 mins
Martinez is up to his usual tricks already, and he can’t be far off a yellow card having wasted time at every goal kick so far.
Another Liverpool attack breaks down as Jones can’t latch on to a through ball.
Ramsey drives into the Liverpool half on the counter, but the away side are forced to recycle possession before Digne’s cross is headed away and Konate gives away a corner.
Liverpool 0-0 Aston Villa
16 mins
Ramsey isn’t able to get past van Dijk on the edge of the box but Villa work a couple of crossing opportunities, with Tieleman’s cross getting through at the second attempt. Bailey is unmarked at the back post, but he can only direct his header well over.
Liverpool 0-0 Aston Villa
15 mins
Konsa makes a great run to carry into the box but is then dispossessed too easily. Liverpool counter but it’s a little wasteful from Nunez, who opts to shoot but sees it blocked. No clear-cut chances from either side yet, but plenty of pace to the game!
Liverpool 0-0 Aston Villa
13 mins
There’s a large gap in the Liverpool defence as Digne’s run takes Konate away, and Ramsey has space to cut in, but there’s great tracking back from Gravenberch to block the shot.
The hosts come forward again but the ball gets away from Nunez.
A bright start from the home side, though Villa have had a half-chance too!
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