Aston Villa earn point in 2-2 thriller with Liverpool

National World - LocalTV

BirminghamWorld reporter Charlie Haffenden reacts to Aston Villa's 2-2 Premier League draw with Liverpool at Villa Park, with goals from Mohamed Salah, Youri Tielemans, Ollie Watkins and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

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00:00Aston Villa have just claimed a point against title challengers Liverpool here at Villa Park.

00:06Unai Emery's team drawing 2-2 with Arnaus-Lotts Reds in a fantastic end-to-end match under the lights.

00:13Such an entertaining game this one. So many opportunities for both teams.

00:16There could have been even more goals in this match. Four on a usual night would be definitely classed as enough.

00:22But on this occasion, I think we could have seen five, six, maybe even seven.

00:25Villa having two offside goals ruled out as well in this one.

00:29Darwin Nunez missing an absolute sitter for Liverpool.

00:32Daniel Marlon missing narrowly wide right at the end, nearly clinching Villa a winner.

00:36But the way it went, Mohamed Salah scoring his 24th goal of the season to open the scoring for Liverpool in the 29th minute.

00:43A terrible error, it has to be said, from Andres Garcia.

00:46The new Villa signing it right back. He's still young, he's still inexperienced in this division.

00:51But you can't really shy away from the fact it was a glaring error.

00:54Trying to pass the ball back to Emi Martinez when pressured by Curtis Jones, completely getting it wrong.

00:59Diego Jota picking up the ball, squaring it to Salah, who fired into the roof of the net for 1-0.

01:04But Villa, they fought back really well and got back on the score sheet, making it 1-1.

01:09Uri Tielemans with a really nice goal indeed, quite a well-worked set-piece routine.

01:14Austin McPhee, the set-piece coach on the touchline, was directing Villa just beforehand.

01:20Marco Asensio runs over the ball, it's quite a wide free kick.

01:23Marcus Rashford crosses into the area to the far post.

01:26Tyrone Mings heads it into the danger area.

01:28And then Dominic Sobosole can't clear.

01:30So Tielemans, there at the far post, about five yards out, composed himself to volley in,

01:35into the ground and over Alisson to make it 1-1.

01:38And then, just before half-time, Oli Watkins puts Villa ahead.

01:42The unimaginable, you would think, in a game like this against Liverpool, who have been so strong this season.

01:46But Watkins with a superb header into that far corner.

01:50Luca Dean on the left-hand side was passed over by Watkins, who started off the move.

01:55Dean with an inviting cross into the box.

01:57Watkins sprinting into the area to get into the right position and heading into that far bottom corner.

02:02Then Villa going into half-time 2-1 up.

02:06Couldn't really believe it, I don't think.

02:07Liverpool looked stunned.

02:08They'd started this game so well, looked dominant.

02:10But Villa responded so well to going 1-0 down.

02:13However, Liverpool in that second half, they came out firing just like they did in the first.

02:18Determined to get back into this game.

02:20And Trent Alexander-Arnold scored to make it 2-2.

02:23Quite a fortuitous goal, to be honest with you, as he struck.

02:26And it deflected in off Tyrone Mings, giving Emi Martinez no chance.

02:31Darwin Nunez, as I alluded to, had such a big opportunity.

02:35He was played in by Sir Bosley, who was just about onside.

02:38He beat the offside trap.

02:40He unselfishly squared it to Nunez, who had just the goal to aim at.

02:44Nobody else. Martinez wasn't to be seen.

02:46But he skied it over the bar.

02:48Axel de Zazie maybe distracted him slightly with a sliding challenge attempt.

02:52But a really terrible finish.

02:53And then Villa, they were kind of pushing on towards the end.

02:56You thought, could they search for a winner? Could they get one?

02:58Marlon going close, Roger skying over the bar.

03:01Not to be in the end, but I think Unai Emery would be delighted with the point against Liverpool.

03:05It's a step in the right direction.

03:06It is five games now in the Premier League without a win.

03:09But to draw against the title challengers, can't be really refused, can it?

03:14It's a fantastic point to get.

03:16Hopefully on Saturday they can kick on against Chelsea and make it all three.

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