Aston Villa v Liverpool: Premier League – live | Premier League

GOAL! I am not sure what Garcia has done. He looks to play a pass sideways but instead sends the ball backwards to Jota who is lurking just outside the Villa box. He darts into the area, drawing Martinez out and Salah is gifted a tap in.

GOAL! Aston Villa 0-1 Liverpool (Salah, 29)

28 mins: Garcia is caught out of position after losing the ball. Robertson ploughs down the left and the ball eventually reaches Mac Allister on the edge of the box but his shot is blocked.

26 mins: After a decent delay Liverpool restart with a free-kick.

Liverpool work it well, concluding with Robertson lifting in a cross for Salah but the forward heads well over the bar.

24 mins: Kieran McKintosh emails: “Wow. The words Rashford and goal together in the same sentence. Haven’t seen that in a very long time indeed.

“Penny for Amorim’s thoughts right now. Things are not very-ahem-straightforward for him at this point in time.”

23 mins: Garcia is putting in a shift down the right. He lifts in another dangerous cross which Gravenberch is forced to clear behind.

The corner is taken but play is stopped as Mac Allister is lying on the floor claiming a foul after a hand in the face. Pawson agrees and gives Disasi a yellow card but seems a touch harsh as they were both at it.

21 mins: Mings sends a wayward pass and Liverpool, allowing Salah to counter down the right but my old mate Digne gets across and stops him in his tracks.

19 mins: Szoboszlai makes a clever run into the box and jabs a shot at goal but Martinez is out quickly to smother. This game is livening up by the second.

17 mins: NO GOAL! Rashford does superbly well down the left, playing a one-two with Asensio, and puts the ball into a dangerous area and a defender puts it into his own net. The fans celebrate, only to realise the flag is up and Rashford is offside.

16 mins: Almost too simple for Liverpool as Van Dijk lifts the ball over the top for Szoboszlai, who makes a great run but the pass has a little too much on it, allowing Martinez to collect.

14 mins: Asensio lines up a free-kick in a central position. He curls it into the box and it makes its way out to Garcia on the right, allowing him to whip a cross which Alisson punches.

It is not Rashford who provides the dribbling on the left wing as Disasi mazes his way down the flank and wins a corner.

12 mins: Rashford does get a chance to attack, cutting in from the left and looking for a pass into the box but it is intercept.

10 mins: Disasi wins the ball on the halfway line and takes it forward for Villa, who eventually win a throw in the corner.

This is the first spell of possession Villa have enjoyed, although Asensio and Rashford are yet to get into the match. Villa Park seems a little flat based on the TV coverage.

8 mins: Liverpool are getting their foo on the ball. A pass is sent down the line for Jones to chase but McGinn is between him and the ball, forcing the Liverpool midfielder to bundle him over.

6 mins: The ball is back in the corner and Mac Allister looms over it. This time the ball is swung into the box but Villa heads do enough to clear. They have little time to rest as Liverpool come straight back at them, culminating in Salah pulling the ball back for Jota, who sees his shot blocked.

Robertson is the next to put in a cross but Mings reads the danger and turns it behind at the front post via Jota’s boot.

Villa have been caught out a couple of times with inept attempts to play out from the back. McGinn is dispossessed just outside his own box and the ball is chipped to Jota in space but he can only head wide.

4 mins: Liverpool win the first corner of the match. Mac Allister goes over to take it. They work it short and the ball eventually makes its way into the box via the outside of Alexander-Arnold’s boot but Van Dijk whacks his shot over.

2 mins: It looks like Asensio is behind Watkins and Jones is somewhat on the left.

Kick off

There seems to be a jazzy light show at Villa Park. I am sure Ben Fisher and John Brewin are ruddy loving it.

If you like a more European note to your football, then Michael Butler has you covered.

“Well done that Villa groundsman who has already found a way to rain (OK, spray) on Liverpool’s title parade. Why do I also suspect Martinez as having something to do with this fine bit of pre-match s**thousery?” Justin Kavanagh is suggesting elite gamesmanship.

“I’m wondering if Robbo starting today means Tsimi will get the nod against City – and whether that turns out to be a very intelligent or a very silly decision?” asks Martin. “Robbo has the experience to face City but his legs are gone. Tsimi has the legs but also an eye for the odd bout of madness.”

I suspect Robertson will start both games. Tsimikas for the Newcastle game?

Unai Emery speaks: “We have players injured and today we have those centre-backs and hopefully they can connect and both be successful. They have strong qualities as defensive players and then we will try to play with personality and control possession.

“It is a really huge challenge and I want to watch how we respond against Liverpool, the best in the world. Today the challenge is really on the pitch.”

Mike Keeling gets in touch: “Not to underestimate Villa, I hope, (obviously about to underestimate Villa) but seeing their team sheet it’s not even a work in progress so much as still in the design stage. Plus, you know, Mings. Feeling more confident of a reds victory!”

Peter Oh emails: “Rashford v Alexander-Arnold – aka the striker who can’t score versus the wing back who can’t defend, according to rabid armchair warriors – is a matchup likely to make heads explode today.”

I think it will be a fun battle, that’s for sure.

A bad start to the night for Liverpool.

Arne Slot on Aston Villa’s forward line: “We faced that against Wolves and we are facing that tonight, again, with some great individual players.

“It is an evening game at Villa Park which is a difficult one and the only thing we need to do is compete and bring our level too.

“These are two teams with a lot of threat so there needs to be a lot of work rate too, to make sure the other team doesn’t score.”

Tactical genius Joe Pearson emails: “I am no tactical genius, but I think Liverpool might go with a 4-3-3, with Szoboszlai as part of the midfield, then have a front three of Jones, Jota, and Salah. But what do I know?”

The suggestion from my close friends TNT is that Jones will play on the left, so I will go with them.

I am not 100% sure how Liverpool will line up in attack. I am working on the assumption that Szoboszlai will be behind Jota and Salah. Naturally, I suspect I will be very wrong.

Some pre-match Slot.

We have first starts for Asensio and little-known loanee Marcus Rashford tonight for Villa. I was at Villa Park on Saturday for the draw against Ipswich. The forward looks pretty lively on the left wing and caused plenty of problems. I am sure he will enjoy the challenge of facing Alexander-Arnold.

Starting lineups

Pre-match reading.

Ben Fisher on Aston Villa’s Premier League malaise.

Preamble