John Townley’s Aston Villa player ratings as Unai Emery’s side taste defeat at Liverpool in the Premier League
21:57, 01 Nov 2025Updated 22:06, 01 Nov 2025
Aston Villa lost 2-0 at Anfield(Image: AP)
Aston Villa lost their first Premier League match in two months, falling to a 2-0 defeat at Liverpool.
Emi MartÃnez gifted Mo Salah the opening goal just before half-time, misplacing a pass that allowed the winger to capitalise and score, before Ryan Gravenberch doubled the lead before the hour mark.
Earlier in the first half, Villa came closest to breaking the deadlock when Morgan Rogers’ effort was denied by the post in the sixth minute, after he had curled the ball towards the far corner.
In the 19th minute, Matty Cash nearly caught Giorgi Mamardashvili off guard at his near post, but his shot from a tight angle deflected off Virgil van Dijk.
Shortly afterwards, MartÃnez made an important save to deny Dominik Szoboszlai in a one-on-one after the midfielder had won possession from Boubacar Kamara’s loose pass back to Pau Torres.
Liverpool thought they had scored in the 43rd minute when Hugo Ekitike headed the ball past MartÃnez, but VAR ruled the goal offside.
However, MartÃnez later made a costly error, rolling the ball out wide inaccurately. Salah seized the opportunity, latched onto the ball, and finished to secure the game-winning goal.
Liverpool doubled their lead just before the hour mark when Ryan Gravenberch’s shot at goal deflected off Pau Torres and past Martinez.
Player ratings
Emi Martinez It was Martinez’s terrible error which handed Salah the chance to score the opening goal. He had made an important save to deny Szoboszlai in the 23rd minute, but he let himself down badly by passing the ball to Salah, before being beaten. Made a few saves in the match, but it was ultimately his mistake that gave Liverpool the advantage. 4
Matty Cash Cash so nearly caught Mamardashvili out at his near post, after his strike at the corner of the box took a nick off Van Dijk, but the Liverpool ‘keeper adjusted well. Competed well against Cody Gakpo. 6
Ezri Konsa Konsa made a terrific block inside the box, just before Ekitike then thought he opened the scoring, but was offside. Gave the ball away in the 63rd minute, which could have quite easily led to a third for Liverpool. 6
Pau Torres Torres’ rather aimless ball forward came straight back at Villa, before Gravenberch drove towards goal and saw his shot deflect off the Spaniard and past Martinez. 5
Lucas Digne It was a tough night for Digne, who came out second best in his battles with Salah. He’s not the first and won’t be the last full-back to struggle against the Egyptian, of course. 4
Boubacar Kamara Kamara was lucky to get away with a sloppy pass back to Torres, which Szoboszlai pounced on and should have scored from. Still got around the pitch well. Lovely megs on Wirtz late on. 6
Amadou Onana Onana crashed into the advertising boards after being shoved by Szoboszlai, but he was fine to continue after receiving treatment from the medical team. Won four of his five ground duels and recorded 90 per cent passing accuracy. 6
Evann Guessand Guessand came into the starting XI as the only change after the win over Man City. He was played through by Rogers in the 25th minute, but he took a poor touch and lacked the pace needed to drive into the space behind the Liverpool defence. Not long after, he committed a foul just outside the box, which presented Szoboszlai with the chance to work Martinez from a free-kick in a dangerous position. 5
John McGinn McGinn operated out on the left this evening, to double up on Salah at times, but also try to get some joy out of Liverpool right-back Bradley. Quiet today and taken off on the hour. 5
Morgan Rogers Rogers struck the post in the sixth minute, as he cut inside and bent the ball towards the far post from the edge of the box. It was a great effort, having just moments before picked Watkins out with an excellent pass in behind the Liverpool backline. Worked well in space in transition. 6
Ollie Watkins Watkins was more lively in the first half. He tried to be a nuisance for the Liverpool defenders, winning fouls, set-pieces and combining with his teammates higher up the pitch. Didn’t carry much of a threat in the second half and was taken off. 5
SUBS
Ross Barkley (for McGinn, 60′): Barkley played in the number 10 role. Added some life to the attack and linked play. 6
Donyell Malen (for Guessand, 60′): Should have replaced Guessand earlier, as Villa were carrying little attacking threat through the summer signing. 6
Ian Maatsen (for Digne, 75′): N/A
Tyrone Mings (for Torres, 75′): N/A
Jadon Sancho (for Watkins, 75′): N/A
Subs not used: Bizot, Lindelof, Bogarde, Broggio.
GOALS
Liverpool: Salah (45+1′), Gravenberch (58′)
Aston Villa: N/A
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