Aston Villa vs Liverpool LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction tonight
Live updates from Villa Park as Steven Gerrard meets Jurgen Klopp in tonight’s Premier League action
A slip from Steven Gerrard may have cost Liverpool a Premier League title. A team of his will not do likewise this year, valiantly as Aston Villa tried. For an hour, Manchester City seemed to be closing in on the crown. Liverpool looked like dropping points for the second successive game.
But there was no slip-up after May’s great catalyst intervened. Liverpool have trailed in all three matches in the month, but their powers of recovery have been aided by Luis Diaz. The January signing was the architect of Sadio Mane’s eighth goal in his last 10 starts. The Senegalese got a crucial winner at Villa Park in a title-winning campaign in 2019: this, earlier in the game but far later in the season, has the potential to be as crucial.
In an instant, Jurgen Klopp was rewarded for benching Mohamed Salah, whose goal drought, penalties and matches against Manchester United aside, stretches back to February. If Klopp picked on form, he was vindicated on a day when Liverpool struggled to reach their best as they were buffeted by waves of Villa attacks.
There was a sense that, 59 games into a marathon season, Liverpool’s strenuous efforts were finally catching up with them. They were stretched as Villa were the sharper side in the first half, but they have a resilience and Klopp has an array of formidable forwards and the three who started combined for a decider that felt further testament to the relentlessness of Diaz.
Follow reaction from Villa Park below:
Premier League could get fifth Champions League spot as Uefa scrap coefficient plan
In other Premier League related news Uefa have scrapped their coefficient plan and from 2024 will award two Champions League places to countries whose clubs collectively performed best in Europe the previous campaign.
An agreement has been reached in Vienna between Uefa and the European Club Association on access to the new-look competition.
The proposal to award two places in the new 36-team league phase based on individual clubs’ European performances over five years has been scrapped, with critics arguing it created a safety net for failing big clubs and a Super League by default.
Instead two places will be awarded to clubs from the countries who performed best in Europe in the previous term.
If applied to next season that would mean the Premier League in England gaining an extra spot, along with the top flight in the Netherlands.
Premier League could get fifth Champions League spot as Uefa scrap coefficient plan
The proposal to award two places in the new 36-team league phase based on individual clubs’ European performances over five years has been scrapped
Aston Villa vs Liverpool
Liverpool are one shy of recording 100 victories over Aston Villa in all competitions.
The Reds have won more league points (313, converting to three points for a win) and scored more league goals (332) against Villa than any other club.
Klopp on the title race
Back to tonight’s game now and Jurgen Klopp was asked whether Liverpool’s draw against Tottenham had put them out of the title race. He replied:
“It is clear that it is not over, whatever happened, because we both have three games to play. And my concern is actually: how can we win our games?
“We have absolutely no hand in how City will play their games. But before they are played I think we should not add on points; we don’t do that and I’m pretty sure City are not doing that. [Until] it’s not reachable anymore, why should we stop believing? That’s what we do.”
Erling Haaland: Man City’s newest star who solves football’s most difficult problem
Pep Guardiola said last year that scoring goals is the “most difficult thing in football”.
It is no wonder then that the Manchester City manager was so keen to bring Erling Haaland to the Etihad Stadium, as the Norwegian has made the task look easy throughout his young career.
An agreement has been reached in principle for Haaland to join City from 1 July after the Premier League champions triggered his 60million euros (£51.25million) release clause from Borussia Dortmund.
Erling Haaland: Man City’s newest star who solves football’s most difficult problem
Who is Erling Haaland, Man City’s new signing?
Man City confirm agreement for Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland
The big news coming out of the Premier League today is that Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland has signed for Manchester City. With the title race between City and Liverpool so close this season, Haaland’s arrival will give the Manchester club a big boost for next year.
The free-scoring striker will move to the Etihad at the end of the season, after the Premier League champions activated his €60m (£51.3m) release clause from the Bundesliga club.
A club statement read: “Manchester City can confirm we have reached an agreement in principle with Borussia Dortmund for the transfer of striker Erling Haaland to the club on 1st July 2022. The transfer remains subject to the club finalising terms with the player.”
Man City confirm agreement for Erling Haaland transfer from Borussia Dortmund
The Norway international is set to move to the Premier League for the 2022-23 campaign
Erling Haaland follows in father’s footsteps in making Man City move
Erling Haaland will become the latest man to follow in the footsteps of his father when he plays in the English top flight.
The 21-year-old Borussia Dortmund striker’s move to Manchester City will unleash his blossoming talent on the Premier League, where his dad Alf-Inge played for Nottingham Forest, Leeds and City during the 1990s and early 2000s.
Here we take a look at some of the men who have previously achieved similar feats – beginning with another pair who both briefly represented City.
Erling Haaland follows in father’s footsteps in making Manchester City move
The Norwegian is the latest son to follow his father into the Premier League
Gerrard on Villa’s recent results
Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard says that the club’s recent run of defeats was tough to handle but that he always had confidence that his players could turn it around. Speaking in the pre-match press conference he said:
“I know where the team’s at and I know that we’re capable of winning football matches. I know we’re capable of going on runs to recover situations – we did it when we initially came in.
“We didn’t get too carried away when we were winning games on the spin, and at the same time, when you go on a tough run and suffer a few bumps it’s important to stick together and have belief in your players.
“It was tough – no one wants to lose four matches, but I had confidence that with the fixtures we had coming up we could put it right and recover our situation.
“The players have been outstanding in the last three games – not just with the results but the performances as well.”
Recent results for Aston Villa and Liverpool
Since the start of the year Aston Villa have been all over the place in terms of form. They’ve won games they probably should have lost and lost games they should have won. March to April was a tough time for Steven Gerrard’s men as they went five games without a win with four of those ending in defeat. However, they seem to have turned that around after back-to-back wins against Norwich and Burnley has put them back on the verge of the top 10.
Meanwhile, Liverpool’s six game winning run across all competitions came to an end last time out when they drew 1-1 with Tottenham. Son Heung-Min put Spurs ahead in a game dominated by the Reds but they responded through Luis Diaz’s strike 15 minutes before the end of the second half. Liverpool couldn’t get through Tottenham’s defence a second time though and had to settle for a point which keeps them within touching distance of Premier League leaders Manchester City.
Early team news for Aston Villa vs Liverpool
Aston Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey misses out again after being ruled out due to the groin injury that also caused him to miss the win over Burnley.
Leon Bailey and Kortney Hause remain on the sidelines, while Philippe Coutinho may feature against his former club.
Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino could make his return after six matches out with a foot injury and Jurgen Klopp may decide to make changes ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup final.
Premier League title race: Who has the best fixtures - Manchester City or Liverpool?
The Premier League season is approaching its end but the title race remains a close run thing.
Manchester City, the reigning champions, opened up a three-point lead at the top of the table at the weekend but still need another seven to ensure their title defence is successful.
Liverpool, the challengers, put up an extraordinary run of 13 wins from 14 games to close the gap on City but dropped points in a 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur that could prove fatal to their title hopes.
Both sides have three games remaining and both play away from home in midweek, taking trips to Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa respectively.
With the title set to be decided either this weekend or next, The Independent has analysed the final part of their run-ins:
Premier League title race: Who has the best fixtures - Manchester City or Liverpool?
With three games to go, City have opened up a three-point lead at the top
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