Aston Villa, who have won four in a row in the Premier League, travel to Anfield on Saturday to face Liverpool, who have lost four in a row.
Goals from Mohamed Salah (45’+1′) and Ryan Gravenbirch (58′) ensured the Reds won their first league title since September 20, returning to the top four and regaining confidence after a turbulent month.
Team news and tactical setup
Arne Slott arranged Liverpool into a 4-3-3, with Giorgi Mamadashvili scoring the goal. In defense, Conor Bradley, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson. In midfield are Ryan Gravenbirch, Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister. Mohamed Salah, Kodi Gakpo and Hugo Ekitike will lead the attack.
Alisson Becker, Alexander Isaac, Curtis Jones, Jeremy Frimpong and Giovanni Leoni were all absent due to injury.
Aston Villa, coached by Unai Emery, opted for a 4-2-3-1, with Emiliano Martinez in goal. At the back are Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres and Lucas Digne. Amadou Onana and Boubacar Kamara will protect the midfield. John McGinn, Morgan Rogers and Evan Gesand support striker Ollie Watkins.
Villa were without Youri Tielemans, Emiliano Buendia and Andres Garcia due to injury.
Match summary: From anxiety to authority
The first 20 minutes were a rollercoaster for Liverpool. Villa came close to silencing Anfield twice. The first came in the fifth minute, when Morgan Rogers hit the post after a deft one-two with Watkins, and in the 18th minute, Matty Cash’s deflected cross hit the bar before Mamadashvili scratched it. Rodgers then forced a diving save with a curling shot from distance, underscoring Villa’s early advantage.
Liverpool are gradually calming down. Dominik Szoboszlai snatched Kamara in midfield and ran towards goal in the 23rd minute, only to be hit directly by Martinez. The Argentine again denied Szoboszlai’s free kick in the 32nd minute, keeping the match tied.
But just when it looked like Villa would reach half-time unscathed, disaster struck. Martinez’s misplaced pass hit Mohamed Salah and he calmly slotted it into the empty goal to score Liverpool’s 250th goal, joining Ian Rush and Roger Hunt in the club’s history.
In the second half, Liverpool took the lead. In the 58th minute, Szoboszlai burst forward and teed up Ryan Gravenbirch’s shot, which deflected off to Martinez who converted with the wrong foot to make it 2-0.
After all the substitutions had been made, Villa’s hopes further evaporated as Tyron Mings limped off injured, leaving Emery’s side to finish with 10 men. Interestingly, Slott made only one change in the match. Florian Wirths replaced Ekitike after 77 minutes.
Liverpool controlled the final stages professionally, with Mamadashvili denying Ross Barkley and Jadon Sancho’s late efforts for their first clean sheet in 11 games.
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Salah’s historic milestones
Mohamed Salah’s opportunistic strike wasn’t just a goal, it was a breakthrough. His 250th game for Liverpool cemented his place as the club’s best ever player. As well as the numbers, Salah’s pressing and hold-up play was crucial in relieving the pressure during Villa’s early surge.
Graben Birch’s return to form
After a short break due to injury, Ryan Gravenbirch put in a dynamic performance in midfield, capping it off with a goal. His energy and desire to shoot added a dimension that Liverpool sorely missed during their downturn.
Villa’s missed opportunity
Unai Emery’s side will regret their profligacy. Two hits on the wood and a spectacular run from Rodgers could have turned the story upside down. Although their winning streak ended at four, Villa showed enough quality to remain a threat in the top half battle.
Tactical reset of slots
Arne Slot has abandoned his recent experiments and returned to the basics of compact shapes, aggressive pressing and quick transitions. The result was Liverpool’s most disciplined performance in recent weeks, a timely response to a demanding fixture list.
The way forward: Tables, calendars, and their impact
Liverpool returned to the top four with a hard-fought victory and are now in third place with 18 points, seven behind leaders Arsenal but within striking distance of Manchester City. The defeat halted Aston Villa’s momentum, leaving them 11th with 15 points in a crowded mid-table where any mistake can cost them.
The timing of this win could be crucial for Arne Slot. Next up is a Champions League showdown with Real Madrid (November 4th), followed by a daunting league game against Manchester City (November 9th) and a home game against Nottingham Forest (November 22nd). These games will test whether Liverpool’s newfound confidence can hold up against Europe’s elite and domestic giants.
Meanwhile, Villa will focus their attention on the Europa League game against Maccabi Tel Aviv (6 November), followed by a match against Bournemouth (9 November) and a visit to Leeds United (23 November). Emery’s side need to rediscover their cutting edge quickly if they are to stay on par with the top six teams.
It wasn’t Liverpool’s most glamorous game, but it was a performance of grit and clarity, and a much-needed reset after weeks of turmoil. For Villa, the missed chances and late injury woes highlight just how close they are at this level. With a tough November ahead, both clubs face decisive tests that could decide their seasons.