At Villa Park, Aston Villa pulled off a thrilling late comeback against Liverpool to secure a crucial point in the Premier League’s quest for fourth place.
Tom Hanks, a Hollywood star and famous supporter, spoke to the crowd prior to kickoff, creating a funfair atmosphere that may have confirmed Champions League play for Villa for the first time.
With five minutes remaining, Unai Emery’s team was behind 3-1 and appeared to be giving rivals Tottenham an easy ride. However, two goals from substitute Jhon Duran secured an improbable draw.
After a terrible mistake by custodian Emiliano Martinez, who inexplicably fumbled Harvey Elliott’s deflected cross into his own net in front of a horrified Holte End, the early celebratory mood was shattered inside two minutes.
After 12 minutes, Youri Tielemans gave Villa a response, scoring an equaliser. However, Liverpool took the lead again, opening up a wide window in the home defenders when Cody Gakpo tapped in a cross from Joe Gomez.
Even though they appeared nervous, the home team still had opportunities; Diego Carlos and Moussa Diaby both missed clear opportunities to pull within one goal.
Three minutes after the half, Liverpool increased their lead, making Villa’s task much more difficult. Jarell Quansah, a teenage defender, towered over Lucas Digne to score his first Premier League goal.
With five minutes remaining, substitute Duran set up a spectacular finale with a low shot that beat Alisson. Then, as Diaby’s shot deflected in off the striker, Villa Park went crazy.
Villa is currently five points ahead of Spurs, who have two games remaining, and will be hoping that title favourites and defending champions Manchester City can help them when they play the top-four rivals on Tuesday night. Villa is still in prime position to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Aston Villa’s stunning late turn of events gained them a point that took them one step closer to the Champions League, and it was the product of their perseverance and refusal to give up.
Liverpool’s supporters, who were enjoying their team’s advantage but did not seem to be too upset about the late loss of two points, spent the most of the evening serenading departing manager Jurgen Klopp in his farewell game in command.
With the knowledge that a yellow card could cost him his spot in the coaching area for Sunday’s final Anfield match against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Klopp maintained his composure while watching from the sidelines.
The majority of the visiting fans here seemed to take this game as an opportunity to clear their throats and run through their song sheets in a dress rehearsal for the German’s farewell bow. Anfield will be in the mood to give Klopp the send-off he deserves.
