Aston Villa player ratings: Douglas Luiz good as Firmino races ahead of Tyrone Mings to claim point
Mings #Mings
Aston Villa were pegged back right at the death but Jacob Ramsey’s opener made sure Unai Emery’s European dream remains intact heading into the final game of the season next week.
Ramsey put the visitors ahead after he latched onto Douglas Luiz’s brilliant free-kick to fire past Alisson for his sixth goal of the season on what was his 100th Premier League appearance for his boyhood club.
Villa, meanwhile, should have gone in front five minutes sooner as Ollie Watkins missed from the spot. The striker got ahead of Ibrahima Konate to win the penalty before sending his effort well wide from 12 yards out.
Unai Emery made three changes heading into this one as he drafted in Matty Cash, Lucas Digne and midfield lynchpin Boubacar Kamara. However, before the break, Villa had another huge chance as Douglas Luiz placed his free-kick into Ramsey’s path before Alisson pulled off a strong save to keep the score at 0-1 in Villa’s favour.
Liverpool, without Jurgen Klopp in the dugout due to a two-game touchline ban, failed to have an effort on target until the 51st minute as Mo Salah’s strike was far too easy for Emi Martinez.
However, four minutes later, Liverpool thought they equalised when Cody Gakpo poked home from close range despite the best efforts of Tyrone Mings who denied Ibraima Konate’s initial effort.
There was to be a VAR check, though, with referee John Brooks told to check the monitor to see if Virgil van Dijk was adjudged to have been involved in that specific phase of play. The Dutchman was indeed involved and was just offside prior to Gakpo’s striking home.
Emery then made a double change on 53 minutes as Ashley Young and Alex Moreno came on for Bailey and Digne. However, it was the Spaniard who injured himself just 12 minutes later after falling awkwardly challenging van Dijk. Emi Buendia was Moreno’s replacement as Young moved over to replace him at left-back.
Liverpool did, though, come on strong in from the hour-mark onwards as Klopp drafted on the likes of Harvey Elliott, Diogo Jota and Anfield hero Roberto Firmino, with the latter playing his final game in a Liverpool shirt.
And of course it had to be the Brazilian who popped up with the equaliser right at the death. It was Salah who gained half-a-yard before crossing with the outside of his left boot. Firmino then reacted quickest, getting beyond Mings to steer home for 1-1 with 90 minutes on the clock.
Despite the addition of 10 minutes in stoppage time, Villa clung on for a gutsy point against a side that has lost just one game in their last 42 games here on Merseyside. The point means Villa go into the final game against Brighton knowing a win, following Spurs’ defeat to Brentford, could well see them secure that Europa Conference League spot for next season.
LIVERPOOL 1 VILLA 1 PLAYER RATINGS
EMI MARTINEZ – 7
Didn’t have too much to do up until the 51st minute when he caught Salah’s weak effort. Martinez claimed corners and high balls all afternoon and was alert to get his body behind Alexander-Arnold’s effort from distance. In true Martinez fashion, the Argentinian was booked for time-wasting with 77 minutes on the clock. Then came Liverpool’s goal with Martinez beaten from Firmino’s close-range effort. Far from Mr Popular in these parts today given his time-wasting. You’ve gotta love him.
MATTY CASH – 7
Drafted in for his first start since his calf injury in March, Cash was thrust into the battle up against the lively Luis Diaz. You can see why Emery opted for the Polish international given Alexander-Arnold’s cross-field passes but Cash was quick and clever enough to put out those fires.
EZRI KONSA – 8
Performed really well alongside his mucker, Mings. Konsa stepped in well to win the ball back which allowed Villa to keep possession. Breathed a sigh of relief as van Dijk was offside despite Konsa’s deflection prior to Gakpo’s goal that was chalked off. Strong today.
TYRONE MINGS – 7
Popped up with headed clearances time and time again while Mings was always in the right place at the right time whenever Liverpool looked to work a yard of space inside Villa’s penalty area. However, Mings’ only lapse came at the death as Firmino raced in ahead of him. He was faultless up until that moment.
LUCAS DIGNE – 7
Perhaps a surprise to see the Frenchman who last started over the way at Goodison Park back in February. Digne, though, did well up against Liverpool top-scorer Salah who, prior to today, had scored in nine consecutive games at Anfield. A promising return to the starting XI while Digne was booked for time-wasting as he was replaced by Moreno.
LEON BAILEY – 7
The Jamaican kept his place and remained on the right-hand side of Villa’s midfield. Won a lot of free-kicks which helped Villa alleviate some of Liverpool’s pressure. Bailey’s shot was blocked prior to Ramsey’s opener. Put in a shift this afternoon, a team player with Villa soaking up pressure.
DOUGLAS LUIZ – 8*
Many people’s pick for player of the season and, again, you can see why with another dominant performance in the heart of Villa’s midfield. Douglas delivered a beautiful cross for his sixth assist of the season as Ramsey slammed home for 0-1. Another eye-catching showing.
BOUBACAR KAMARA – 7
Back in for his first start since suffering a setback following the big win over Chelsea. The Frenchman was everywhere and kept winning the ball back, stepping in as he put himself in the right places. A really mature and important performance in Villa’s midfield.
JACOB RAMSEY – 7
The Great Barr kid marked his 100th Premier League appearance with his sixth goal of the season, volleying home with his left foot in front of the Kop. It was a really strong showing from Villa’s match winner who could have made it two but for Alisson’s brilliant save.
JOHN MCGINN – 7
Started up front in the Buendia role off Watkins and Liverpool just kept on fouling him, much to McGinn’s fury. McGinn covered some serious ground out there, while he even slotted in at left-back for the time being as Moreno was replaced. A proper captain’s shift from the Scot who rallied the troops until the very end. Again, a real pain in the backside for the opposition, while it was McGinn’s defence-splitting pass that put Watkins in prior to the penalty.
OLLIE WATKINS – 6
He extends his goal drought to six games now after missing his 22nd-minute penalty, placing his effort well wide of the far post. Watkins did well to win the spot kick as he beat Konate in a foot race before the big defender clattered into him. Watkins’ hold-up play was decent but he did a lot of running without seeing much of the ball as Liverpool came on strong in the second half.
SUBSTITUTES
ASHLEY YOUNG ON FOR BAILEY (53) – 6
Dug deep for the claret and blue cause; initially came on ahead of Cash on the right before slotting over to left-back following Moreno’s injury.
ALEX MORENO ON FOR DIGNE (53) – N/A
Brave as he cleared to stop van Dijk from heading across goal. But picked up a nasty-looking injury for his troubles as he was soon replaced. We’ll now hear the verdict from the manager to see if he’ll be available for next week.
EMILIANO BUENDIA ON FOR ALEX MORENO (65) – 6
Won some fouls and was brave to take the ball as Liverpool came on strong.
LEANDER DENDONCKER ON FOR DOUGLAS LUIZ (86) – N/A
JHON DURAN ON FOR WATKINS (86) – N/A
NOT USED: Robin Olsen (GK), Viljami Sinisalo (GK), Bertrand Traore.
Opposition
Liverpool (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson (Tsimikas, 72); Fabinho (Elliott, 81), Henderson (Milner, 72), Jones (Jota, 63) ; Diaz (Firmino, 72), Salah, Gakpo.
Subs not used: Kelleher, Gomez, Carvalho, Matip.
Goals
Liverpool: Roberto Firmino (90)
Aston Villa: Jacob Ramsey (27)
Referee: J.Brooks
Next up for Villa: Brighton (h) on Sunday, May 28; kick-off 4.30pm