English Premier League

Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool – PLAYER RATINGS: Which star is a ‘lovely footballer’? Who was his side’s brightest spark? And who failed to grab the game by the scruff of its neck?

February 20, 2025

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Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool – PLAYER RATINGS: Which star is a ‘lovely footballer’? Who was his side’s brightest spark? And who failed to grab the game by the scruff of its neck?

Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to eight points after an entertaining 2-2 draw against Aston Villa.

Villa had started the game brightly, but disaster struck when Diogo Jota pounced on an error from Andres Garcia before squaring the ball for Mohamed Salah to tuck home his 24th top flight goal of the season.

Youri Tielemans levelled things up on 38 minutes with a smart finish, before Ollie Watkins put the hosts ahead on the stroke of half-time.

But Liverpool came again and Trent Alexander-Arnold equalised for Arne Slot‘s side after his goal bound strike was deflected in by Tyrone Mings.

Both sides had big chances in the final part of the game, but the spoils were ultimately shared.

Mail Sport’s LEWIS STEELE was at Villa Park and he has rated both sets of players below…

Aston Villa and Liverpool played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at Villa Park on Wednesday

The result saw Arne Slot’s side go eight points clear at the top of the Premier League table

ASTON VILLA (4-2-3-1)

Emiliano Martinez – 7.5

Brilliant tackle on Nunez when it looked certain Liverpool were to go 3-2 up. Could do little about Liverpool’s goals but kept Villa in it during an early onslaught from the away team.

Andres Garcia – 5

Hard to sugarcoat the fact that he was solely at fault for Liverpool’s opener after a stray pass went straight into Jota’s path. What was he thinking?

Axel Disasi – 7 (Booked)

Got the crowd up with a barnstorming run forward early on. Was booked for an unneeded challenge on Mac Allister but defended well.

Tyrone Mings – 7.5

‘He’s here, he’s there, he’s everywhere,’ sang the Holte End. It felt apt as Mings made some big blocks and covered well. Unlucky with the deflection for Liverpool’s equaliser.

Lucas Digne – 7.5

Got the better of Salah in the first half and played a perfect cross for Watkins as Villa made it 2-1.

Lucas Digne generally dealt well with Salah and set up Ollie Watkins’ goal with a great cross

Youri Tielemans was brilliant at the heart of midfield and his goal was extremely well-taken

Youri Tielemans – 7.5

Lovely footballer. His goal will obviously make the highlights but the Belgian midfielder constantly made Villa tick and put in a graft off the ball.

John McGinn – 7

Captain kept the ball alive for Tielemans’ goal in the first half and never stopped running in midfield.

Morgan Rogers – 7

A powerful player who causes all sorts of problems when he runs at defenders. Kept plugging away.

Marco Asensio – 5.5

His first start at Villa Park saw him produce some nice touches but did not grab the game by the scruff of its neck like he may have wanted.

Marcus Rashford – 7

Saw a lot of the ball especially in the first half and caused quite a few issues for Alexander-Arnold but, though his end product was lacking, this was a bright display.

Marcus Rashford showed plenty of promising signs on his first start since joining Villa

Ollie Watkins caused problems for Liverpool’s defence throughout and took his goal well

Ollie Watkins – 7

Went undetected in the Liverpool penalty area as he played a lovely give-and-go with Digne for the second goal. Lived on the shoulder of Konate and caused problems.

Substitutes

Matty Cash (for Garcia, 67min) – 6

Donyell Malen (for Rashford, 67min) – 6

Jacob Ramsey (for Asensio, 67min) – 6

Ian Maatsen (for Digne, 78min) – NA

Lamare Bogarde (for McGinn, 85min) – NA

Subs not used: Robin Olsen, Oliwier Zych, Jamaldeen Jimoh.

Manager

Unai Emery – 7

Set his team up well. They started nervously but grew into it.

Unai Emery’s side put in a solid performance and the Spaniard set his team up well

LIVERPOOL (4-2-3-1)

Alisson – 6

Made some strong saves in the second half and could do little about Villa’s goals.

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7

Looked confused and annoyed to be substituted minutes after he drew Liverpool level. A good performance on the ball from the vice-captain.

Ibrahima Konate – 6

Commanding display as ever from the Frenchman but would have been disappointed to concede two preventable goals.

Virgil van Dijk – 5.5

Konate and Van Dijk let Watkins have a free header to make it 2-1 and they had several chances to clear the ball for Villa’s equaliser.

Virgil van Dijk will have been disappointed with the manner of the two goals Liverpool let in

Trent Alexander-Arnold helped the Reds to secure what could prove to be a crucial point

Andy Robertson – 6

Defended strongly and bombed forward as an auxiliary left winger at times with Jones tucking infield.

Ryan Gravenberch – 6

Did not have his usual grip on proceedings but put in a solid defensive shift.

Alexis Mac Allister – 6.5

A warrior-like midfield who kept flying into challenges in a positive sense. Could not impact too much in an attacking sense, though.

Mohamed Salah – 7.5

Another goal and assist for Salah despite not seeing too much of the ball. Pretty much what we say every week.

Mohamed Salah was as effective as ever as he scored his 24th league goal of the season

Dominik Szoboszlai was Liverpool’s brightest spark in an attacking sense at Villa Park

Dominik Szoboszlai – 7.5

Was Liverpool’s brightest spark in an attacking sense as the Hungary skipper consistently drove through midfield and created chances.

Curtis Jones – 7

Started in an unusual left wing role and caused Villa some problems as he popped up in some dangerous positions.

Diogo Jota – 7

The Portuguese star made some dangerous runs in behind the Villa back line in the first half – something Liverpool have lacked in his absence. Tired after the break, though.