Liverpool vs Man City LIVE: Premier League latest score, goals and updates from fixture today
Follow all the reaction live from Anfield after the title contenders went head to head
Kevin De Bruyne cancelled out Mohamed Salah’s stunning strike as Manchester City twice hit back to draw 2-2 at Anfield in a tie befitting two of the Premier League’s heavyweights.
A game which Pep Guardiola’s side had bossed in the first half exploded into life after the break with the stand-out moment being Salah’s weaving effort, of which Lionel Messi would have been proud.
The Egypt international twisted and turned past Joao Cancelo, Bernardo Silva, Aymeric Laporte and Ruben Dias before firing an angled right-footed shot inside the far post for his ninth goal in as many matches.
But Manchester City were left fuming that moments earlier James Milner, who was involved in the build-up, had not been shown a second yellow card for what appeared to be a blatant foul on Bernardo Silva.
Only Burnley have kept Salah out this season but as good as his goal was it was not enough to secure the three points which would have taken his team back to the top of the table as Kevin De Bruyne struck with nine minutes remaining as an absorbing encounter fittingly finished honours even.
Tottenham 0-0 Aston Villa
7 mins: A decent move from Villa breaks down after a heavy touch from McGinn leads to a foul on Emerson. The midfielder had Targett out to his left on the overlap but was unable to get the ball under control.
Tottenham 0-0 Aston Villa
5 mins: Tottenham are struggling to advance the ball or keep possession in these opening stages. Ndombele is playing ahead of the midfield pair of Hojbjerg and Skipp, who are sitting in a two.
Tottenham 0-0 Aston Villa
3 mins: Villa have settled nicely and Watkins draws a foul from Hojbjerg following a smart turn in midfield. Nothing comes out it as Villa take it short.
Tottenham 0-0 Aston Villa
2 mins: An unconvincing start from Cristian Romero, who gives the ball away with his first two touches of the ball. Villa are pressing high, as they did at Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford.
Kick off! Tottenham 0-0 Aston Villa
We’re underway at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium.
Tottenham vs Aston Villa: Can hosts find attacking spark?
Kane may come into this game with a good record against today’s opponents, but Tottenham are bottom of the league so far this season when it comes to shots and expected goals.
Tottenham’s totals of 57 shots and 5.6 xG were the lowest of all 20 teams after six games played - Nuno Espirito Santo’s side need to improve those dismal statistics today.
Kick-off is coming up shortly!
Tottenham vs Aston Villa: Last time out
Aston Villa spoiled Tottenham’s first game back in front of home fans when they came from a goal down to win 2-1 at the end of last season.
Ollie Watkins scored his 14th Premier League goal of the season to seal the win, which for Tottenham was marred over the uncertainty surrounding Harry Kane’s future.
Tottenham had won the previous six meetings between the sides, however, and Kane has scored seven goals in his nine appearances against Villa before today.
Tottenham vs Aston Villa: Nuno responds to pressure talk
Xisco Munoz may have become the first Premier League manager to be sacked this season, but the former Watford boss was thought to be behind both Steve Bruce and Nuno Espirito Santo in the sack race.
Nuno has come under fire following Tottenham’s three consecutive defeats in the Premier League and the manner of his side’s performance in the north London derby.
He said this week: “The criticism is normal. Everybody knows how this industry works. When you don’t play good, when you don’t perform and results don’t go your way, criticism is something you have to deal with. We understand it and it’s up to us to react and change it.
“I’m not worried about the judgement. What I’m worried about is how we can play better. The judgement, the criticism and the opinion is all part of the game and we have to deal with that. That doesn’t interfere with the way we work. It can only distract us. My focus is on how we can improve.”
Tottenham vs Aston Villa: Battle of the England strikers
We’re set for a battle of England strikers today, as Harry Kane faces Ollie Watkins before joining up with Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the upcoming October internationals.
Watkins has yet to hit the target this season but Southgate has been impressed enough with the 25-year-old’s performances to include the striker in his 23-man group. Watkins certainly carried a threat in Villa’s away displays at Chelsea and United, and should have really got on the scoresheet.
Kane, on the other hand, is also looking for his first goal of the Premier League season but was boosted by his hat-trick in the Europa Conference League in midweek.
Meanwhile, Danny Ings will be out to prove that his England days are not over. The former Southampton striker scored in each of his first two appearances for Villa in August but is yet to hit the net since.
Tottenham vs Aston Villa: Can Nuno solve midfield dilemma?
Spurs were simply overran in midfield at the Emirates last weekend with Nuno Espirito Santo coming in for considerable criticism for how much space Arsenal were allowed in central areas.
Nuno has shuffled his pack and has fielded a new three-man line-up today, with Hojbjerg, Skipp and Ndombele playing together for the first time this season.
The Portuguese will be looking for better balance and the stability that Hojbjerg and Skipp provided in those early victories - while Ndombele will look to carry the ball forward and link up with Tottenham’s attackers that were often left isolated at the Emirates.
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