Liverpool vs Aston Villa LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction
Roberto Firmino scored a dramatic late equaliser to keep Liverpool’s slim chances of a top-four Premier League finish alive with a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa on Saturday.
The Brazilian, in his final appearance at Anfield after eight seasons with the Merseyside club, scored in the 89th minute to the delight of the crowd in Liverpool’s last home game of the season.
Juergen Klopp’s side are fifth with 66 points with one game remaining, but three points adrift of fourth-place Manchester United who have a game in hand. Unai Emery’s Villa are seventh with 58 points from 37 games.
Jacob Ramsey put Villa ahead in the 27th minute, after a period of sustained pressure, darting to the back post to head a cross from Douglas Luiz past goalkeeper Allison.
Villa could have taken the lead five minutes earlier when they were awarded a penalty, but Ollie Watkins sent his shot sailing wide.
Liverpool thought they had levelled early in the second half from a close-range goal by Cody Gakpo, but after a lengthy VAR check it was ruled out for offside.
Liverpool must win their final game at Southampton next week, and hope that Man United and Newcastle United lose their remaining two games to secure a Champions League berth.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa LIVE: Premier League updates
Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson, Jones, Fabinho, Henderson, Salah, Gakpo, Diaz.
Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne, McGinn, Kamara, Douglas Luiz, Ramsey, Bailey, Watkins.
Liverpool FC 1 - 1 Aston Villa FC
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
17:23
Today and all season, thank you for your incredible support on the road. 👏 pic.twitter.com/OyU8UfDSIU
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) May 20, 2023
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
17:22
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 20, 2023
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
17:14
Thank you for joining us, and have a lovely weekend! Goodbye!
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
17:12
As for Unai Emery's side, they miss the chance to leapfrog Brighton into sixth, but with Tottenham's loss earlier today, sit in control of their own destiny for a seventh-place finish. They can still make Europe too.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
17:10
That bonkers finale means Jurgen Klopp's Reds stay fifth and three points off Newcastle United and Manchester United. The Magpies and the Red Devils now only need a point from their last two games to secure Champions League football.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
17:08
Roberto Firmino's late equaliser ensures a stalemate in the Premier League between Liverpool and Aston Villa, as both teams lose ground in their European races. It's a thrilling last act for the Brazilian, but will it be enough? At full-time, it finishes Liverpool 1-1 Aston Villa.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
17:06
FULL-TIME: LIVERPOOL 1-1 ASTON VILLA
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
17:06
A Liverpool free-kick is swung into the Villa box. Martinez claims. It's nearly there now.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
17:06
Firmino's last Anfield goal for the Reds means the points are shared. #LIVAVL pic.twitter.com/K9BlILdjYy
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 20, 2023
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
17:06
Battled until the end to pick up an important point on the road. 🤝 pic.twitter.com/bl1I5mN6Ka
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) May 20, 2023
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
17:04
Unai Emery is screaming at his players to clear their lines, as Liverpool continue to put them under the cosh. This is utterly thrilling stuff.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
17:03
Elliott! The substitute launches a left-footed effort and Martinez makes the stop. It is all coming to a boil on Merseyside.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
17:03
A string of consecutive corners for Liverpool sees them continue to pepper the Villa defence. Momentum is absolutely with the Reds now.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
17:01
Yellow Card Ezri Konsa Ngoyo
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
17:00
Si Señor 🥹 pic.twitter.com/C7Y3o2kAQM
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 20, 2023
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:57
Buckle up, folks. We're getting 10 added minutes in this one.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:55
90' - The ball is fed wide to Salah, he crosses and Firmino finishes on the stretch in front of the Kop.
[1-1]#LIVAVL https://t.co/42klkQgj6m— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 20, 2023
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:55
Yellow Card Ashley Simon Young
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:55
Goal Roberto Firmino Barbosa de Oliveira
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:55
There will be 🔟 added minutes...
🔴 1-1 🔵 [90'+] #LIVAVL— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) May 20, 2023
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:54
The news is in from Bournemouth, where Manchester United have claimed a 1-0 win. Liverpool must find something to keep their Champions League hopes alive.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:54
FIIIIRRRRMINNOOOOOOOO pic.twitter.com/k3xMVsPkfN
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 20, 2023
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:54
Goal for Liverpool, scored by Firmino.
🔴 1-1 🔵 [90'] #LIVAVL— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) May 20, 2023
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:52
Two more changes...
⬅️ Douglas Luiz, Watkins
➡️ Dendoncker, Durán
🔴 0-1 🔵 [86'] #LIVAVL— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) May 20, 2023
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:52
Substitution Douglas Luiz Soares de Paulo Leander Dendoncker
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:52
Substitution Oliver George Arthur Watkins Jhon Jader Durán Palacio
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:50
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:49
Time truly is running out for the Reds now. Manchester United are winning elsewhere. If results stay as they do, then the top four is out of reach for them.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:49
Salah moves on the break down the right flank, and then throws his arms up in frustration as the offside flag is raised against him. It has not been Liverpool's day.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:46
Substitution Fábio Henrique Tavares Harvey Daniel James Elliott
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:46
Yellow Card Fábio Henrique Tavares
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:46
Jota floats into the box after a fine Liverpool break, but he is dislodged of possession and Villa calmly work themselves out of danger. For the most part, the visitors have been composed.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:42
Martinez is given a yellow card as Villa continue to look to slow the game down.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:41
Villa have seriously bolstered that defensive line, and appear to be playing with a crowded back six. It is doing the job for the most part.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:39
Alexander-Arnold! Firmino makes an instant impact, carving up the left edge, and the right-back races onto the cut-back from Gakpo, only to hammer it straight at Martinez.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:39
If there's one thing that can get Anfield to its feet besides a goal, it might be the send-off for Firmino and Milner. The two are poised to arrive.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:37
Substitution Andrew Henry Robertson Konstantinos Tsimikas
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:36
A triple change for the Reds...
Bobby Firmino, James Milner and Kostas Tsimikas are on.#LIVAVL— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 20, 2023
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:36
Substitution Jordan Brian Henderson James Philip Milner
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:36
Substitution Luis Fernando Díaz Marulanda Roberto Firmino Barbosa de Oliveira
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:34
With less than a quarter of the game to go, time is running out for Liverpool to find both an equaliser and a potential winner. This will be a mighty blow to their top-four hopes here if they lose.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:32
Alexander-Arnold prevents a Villa break with an industrial challenge on Ramsey, and is booked.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:30
Those injury problems force an early exit for Moreno. Buendia takes his place for Villa.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:30
Álex picked up an injury in making that interception, and he's replaced by Emi.
🔴 0-1 🔵 [65'] #LIVAVL pic.twitter.com/kHzf2tq1Eo— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) May 20, 2023
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:28
Martinez rises and picks off a Liverpool corner again. Villa have problems in the defensive department though, with a few of their players moving quite gingerly.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:27
Substitution Curtis Julian Jones Diogo José Teixeira da Silva
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:27
Aston Villa have won their last away league game in just two of the last 20 seasons, beating Spurs 2-1 in 2020-21 and Arsenal by the same score in 2010-11.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:27
Brilliant defending from Álex denies a chance for van Dijk at the back post, before Dibu collects the resulting corner.
🔴 0-1 🔵 [63'] #LIVAVL— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) May 20, 2023
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:27
Liverpool survive a Villa corner down the other end and promptly motor back upfield. The visitors are smart in defence again however. Unai Emery applauds them.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:24
No goal! Van Dijk is deemed to have been offside after he impacted play in the build-up, and Liverpool see their effort chalked off. Villa survive.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:22
Have Liverpool got their equaliser? A corner for the Reds sees them pile players into the box, and a slew of half-chances are deflected or hit the woodwork. Gakpo eventually pokes it into the roof of the net, but VAR wants a look for an offside call.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:22
It's ruled out for offside...
🔴 0-1 🔵 [57'] #LIVAVL https://t.co/HyJR338cln— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) May 20, 2023
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:22
55' - After a VAR check, the goal is disallowed for an offside.
[0-1] #LIVAVL https://t.co/2JA2rpvRd7— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 20, 2023
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:20
CODY LEVELS IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ⚽ pic.twitter.com/3JlSXb1wLN
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 20, 2023
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:20
Goal Cody Mathès Gakpo
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:19
Goal for Liverpool, scored by Gakpo.
🔴 1-1 🔵 [55'] #LIVAVL— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) May 20, 2023
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:18
The boss makes two changes...
🔴 0-1 🔵 [53'] #LIVAVL pic.twitter.com/Mp7hGq4VHM— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) May 20, 2023
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:19
Substitution Leon Patrick Bailey Butler Ashley Simon Young
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:19
Substitution Lucas Digne Alexandre Moreno Lopera
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:19
Now it is Alisson's turn to shout at his players, with the Liverpool goalkeeper frustrated by a soft Villa break through the middle that forces him into action.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:19
Yellow Card Lucas Digne
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:17
Salah finally pushes a shot towards goal but Martinez is smart enough to read it well. The World Cup winner barks at his defenders in frustration.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:17
Gakpo overcooks himself in midfield, and Villa get a free-kick as a result. The visitors ease themselves out of immediate danger for the moment.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:15
Martinez will be expecting a busier stint between the posts this half. Liverpool's failure to seriously test him is something Jurgen Klopp will seek to address.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:13
We are back underway at Anfield. Can Liverpool find an equaliser in this one or will Villa cling on for a big result?
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
16:10
Back underway. UTV! ✊ #LIVAVL pic.twitter.com/l6zrBStUgl
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) May 20, 2023
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:59
That was closer to an hour of football than it was a regulation half, when all is said and done. On a hot day, it will be fascinating to see if that has any bearing down the line.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:57
Jacob Ramsey's diving header is the difference in a lively Premier League encounter between Liverpool and Aston Villa. In a match that could shape the European race however, there's still plenty left to play for. At half-time, it is Liverpool 0-1 Aston Villa.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:55
HALF-TIME: LIVERPOOL 0-1 ASTON VILLA
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:55
Free-kick for Villa! A break downfield allows the visitors to ease the pressure. They're nearly at the break.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:54
Brilliant half, lads. 👊 #LIVAVL pic.twitter.com/3qJ7tEpV6a
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) May 20, 2023
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:54
Half-time. #LIVAVL pic.twitter.com/lBsEXqu7Sd
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 20, 2023
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:54
Villa continue to defend. Every block is met with a roar from them. You'd think it was full-time approaching, not half-time.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:50
The resulting free-kick from that foul is eventually taken and Villa head it away. There's whistles and jeers in the crowd right now, though who for remains to be seen.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:48
No further intervention from VAR, and it will stay as a yellow card. We'll have five added minutes in this one.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:46
Villa's patience pays off, and they win a goal-kick. It's going to take more of that to keep the Reds at bay.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:46
Yellow Card Tyrone Deon Mings
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:46
Liverpool are throwing everything at the Villa box now, with Salah leading the attack around the edges. Balls are being steadfastly defended by the visitors, but they are sweating right now.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:42
Diaz! Arguably the best chance of the game now for Liverpool, but their forward cannot keep his header down as he loops it wide to the right, leaving Martinez untested.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:42
Oh, that is an excellent bit of invention from the set-piece by Villa, who play it down the short side to Ramsey rather than aim for the wall in the box. Alisson is alert and gets a good stop on it.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:41
Fabinho puts a fairly needless shove on in the tackle and the free-kick goes to Villa. McGinn is pretty unhappy with the decision-making process so far, and lets the referee know.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:40
A brilliant free-kick routine creates a chance for JJ, but Alisson is off his line quickly to make the save.
🔴 0-1 🔵 [39'] #LIVAVL— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) May 20, 2023
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:39
Bailey is back on his feet and fit to carry on. The game resumes.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:39
Gakpo almost brings the ball under control on the lip of the Villa box, before Konsa sweeps in and ferries it to safety. Liverpool are getting a little frustrated right now.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:36
Bailey takes a tumble in a high challenge with Robinson, and the game comes to a halt for him to receive medical attention.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:36
A Liverpool corner sees Konate have a half-chance blocked, before the Reds continue to threaten around the edge of the area. Jurgen Klopp is making some big gestures from his perch.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:34
That goal has ignited Anfield into full voice once more, and Liverpool pour forward, looking for an immediate response. Villa's defence is going to have some work to do before the break.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:30
Dougie curls a delightful ball towards the back post and JJ arrives to fire into the bottom corner! UTV! 🙌
🔴 0-1 🔵 [27'] #LIVAVL https://t.co/ar0DlkqQGT— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) May 20, 2023
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:28
Assist Douglas Luiz Soares de Paulo
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:29
HE'S ONE OF OUR OWNNNNNNN pic.twitter.com/UZtLatEB3s
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) May 20, 2023
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:28
More than halfway through the first half, and it will be interesting to know who is the happier boss of the two. After that penalty miss, Jurgen Klopp will likely be breathing a sigh of relief.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:28
27' - Goal for Aston Villa. Ramsey.
[0-1]#LIVAVL— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 20, 2023
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:28
Goal Jacob Matthew Ramsey
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:28
Penalty Miss Oliver George Arthur Watkins
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:28
Villa seek to make immediate amends with another breakaway, this time after Diaz is dislodged roughly of possession inside the opposition half. Alisson has to dart out of his box to mop up.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:26
Miss! Oh, that is a horrible penalty to scuff from Watkins! Villa miss the chance to go ahead as the forward and puts a powerful strike wide of the right post by half-a-foot or so. A let-off for Liverpool.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:23
Ollie's effort is wide.
🔴 0-0 🔵 [22'] #LIVAVL https://t.co/b8REY8nCks— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) May 20, 2023
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:23
22' - Watkins puts it wide of Alisson's goal.
[0-0]#LIVAVL https://t.co/eEup02eUAg— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 20, 2023
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:23
Penalty to Villa! The visitors unlock a wonderful counter-attack and send Watkins down the left wing. As he canters into the box, Konate comes in to cover him and instead commits the foul.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
15:22
Penalty to Aston Villa...
🔴 0-0 🔵 [21'] #LIVAVL— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) May 20, 2023
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