Aston Villa 1-3 Liverpool LIVE! Premier League result, match stream, latest reaction and updates today

Aston Villa vs Liverpool - LIVE!

Liverpool made a successful return to Premier League action as they beat Aston Villa 3-1 in an entertaining Boxing Day encounter. The Reds went into the game having won just once on the road in the league all season, but got themselves well on track to double that tally when Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk netted before the break.

Ollie Watkins halved the deficit in the second-half and Villa pushed for an equaliser, but Liverpool held firm. Darwin Nunez missed chances to put the result beyond doubt, before Stefan Bajcetic did just that seconds after coming on to end any hopes the hosts had of a comeback.

It was much-needed win for Liverpool, one that moves Jurgen Klopp’s side to within five points of Tottenham in fourth with a game in hand over the north London side. The Reds do not face a team above them in the table until mid-February.

Aston Villa vs Liverpool team news

• GOAL! Bajcetic puts result beyond doubt

• GOAL! Watkins gets Villa back in it

• GOAL! Van Dijk with smart finish

• OFFSIDE! Matip denied by flag

• GOAL! Salah gives Liverpool early lead

Aston Villa FC 1 - 3 Liverpool FC

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20:15 , Matt Verri

Liverpool made a successful return to Premier League action as they beat Aston Villa 3-1 in an entertaining Boxing Day encounter.

The Reds went into the game having won just once on the road in the league all season, but got themselves well on track to double that tally when Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk netted before the break.

Ollie Watkins halved the deficit in the second-half and Villa pushed for an equaliser, but Liverpool held on before sealing victory when Stefan Bajcetic scored seconds after coming on. It was much-needed win, one that moves Jurgen Klopp’s side to within five points of fourth with a game in hand.

Read our full report right here

Robertson’s post-match thoughts

19:44 , Matt Verri

“That was perfect for us - our away form hasn’t been good enough but this is a tough place to come and this was a really important three points.

“Trent played an unbelievable ball to me for the first goal and then I managed to find Mo. Creating chances is a big part of a full-backs game. First game back - it’s always nice.”

Robertson to the top of the tree!

19:39 , Matt Verri

Liverpool needed that!

19:32 , Matt Verri

FT: Aston Villa 1-3 Liverpool

19:27 , Matt Verri

Liverpool up and running after the World Cup!

Had a few scares along the way, particularly in the second-half, but that’s a very decent display from the Reds.

19:23 , Matt Verri

90 mins: Four minutes added on.

Going to have to be a pretty special four minutes for Villa!

19:20 , Matt Verri

87 mins: Changes from Emery. Kamara, Buendia and Bailey off, Dendoncker, Coutinho and Ings all on.

Nunez cuts the ball back to Bajcetic, running onto it 20 yards out but the shot is immediately blocked.

And that will be the end of Nunez’s evening. Doak will get a few minutes.

19:16 , Matt Verri

84 mins: Liverpool flying now, getting plenty of bodies forward. Villa have dropped off since the goal.

Nunez with an effort from distance that is saved, before Robertson almost squeezes a cross past Olsen at the near post.

GOAL! Aston Villa 1-3 Liverpool | Stefan Bajcetic 81'

19:13 , Matt Verri

SECONDS AFTER COMING ON!

Nunez involved, of course. He gets in behind, cut back is parried out into Bajcetic’s path.

Dinks it past Olsen, and somehow the finish finds a way through the bodies who had rushed back on the line.

19:10 , Matt Verri

78 mins: Henderson and Alexander-Arnold are the latest Liverpool players to make way.

Good shift from both of them this afternoon. Bajcetic and Gomez the two introduce for the final 15 minutes or so.

19:08 , Matt Verri

76 mins: Here come Liverpool on the counter, perfect pass from Salah and Nunez is clean through on goal.

Konsa can’t catch him, only Olsen to beat.... can’t do so. Fired wide of the far post. That should really have settled it.

19:06 , Matt Verri

73 mins: Young has to show a bit of pace to get to a loose pass before Elliott, does so. Did have the advantage of a five-yard head start.

Villa will fancy their chances of finding an equaliser, they look the better side at the moment.

19:03 , Matt Verri

70 mins: Alexander-Arnold pings a cross into the box, Young tries to chest it back to Olsen but the goalkeeper can’t prevent it going behind for a corner.

Robertson swings the set-piece into the box, Matip can’t quite get up enough to meet it before Keita lashes over the bar.

18:59 , Matt Verri

66 mins: Thiago and Oxlade-Chamberlain off, Keita and Elliott on. Klopp knows his side are under the pump right now.

Liverpool haven’t been able to offer the same threat in behind since the break.

18:56 , Matt Verri

64 mins: Liverpool look a bit ragged all of a sudden, they can’t get out. Villa well on top.

Bailey runs at Robertson, whips the cross into the box and it falls for Digne at the back post. He picks out McGinn, Van Dijk slams the door shut.

18:53 , Matt Verri

61 mins: Nunez drifts inside, and further inside, and further inside... loses it. Had to shoot but went for a cute pass instead.

And now Villa break, they’ve got numbers forward too. McGinn tries his luck but it’s charged down.

GOAL! Aston Villa 1-2 Liverpool | Ollie Watkins 59’

18:51 , Matt Verri

GAME ON!

It’s been coming. McGinn on the right lays it back to Luiz, great cross to the back post where Watkins nods it into the far corner.

18:50 , Matt Verri

58 mins: Villa cannot get a clean effort away!

A lovely move again, Watkins lets the ball run and Bailey is there again unmarked. Once again though he barely makes contact with the strike.

18:47 , Matt Verri

55 mins: It’s such an open game, Villa work it into space on the left after good work from Watkins.

Digne runs onto it and gets the shot away at goal under pressure from Henderson, easy enough for Alisson though.

18:45 , Matt Verri

53 mins: Better from Liverpool, who’ve woken up after a slow start to the half.

Thiago blazes over from distance, before Fabinho tries his luck from 20 yards out and bends it just wide with Olsen at full-stretch.

Don’t want to jinx it, but surely there’s more goals in this match.

18:43 , Matt Verri

51 mins: Buendia into the side-netting, McGinn shot blocked. It’s all Villa.

Digne now swings a free-kick in after a foul from Thiago, it’s cleared and Salah is leading the counter. Well, Salah is the counter.

Nobody can catch him, Olsen keeps out the fairly weak effort. Bounces back off Luiz and onto the post.

18:40 , Matt Verri

48 mins: And now McGinn should do much better, good Villa spell this.

Ball bounced up to him in the box, he doesn’t know whether to head it or try and volley it... ends up doing neither.

GOO... OFFSIDE!

18:39 , Matt Verri

Watkins has the ball in the net with 40 seconds of the second-half played, flag goes up though.

He holds his run for as long as he can, before firing it low past Alisson. Just strayed beyond Alexander-Arnold though.

Back underway!

18:37 , Matt Verri

Up and running once again at Villa Park.

18:29 , Matt Verri

Liverpool with 61% of the ball in the first-half, eight shots and six on target to show from that.

There were four shots for Villa, three of which were saved by Alisson, but they offered very little in the final 20 minutes of the opening period.

Watkins and Bailey had the early chances for the hosts, couldn’t take them.

Special move for the Liverpool opener!

18:23 , Matt Verri

HT: Aston Villa 0-2 Liverpool

18:20 , Matt Verri

Liverpool in complete control after 45 minutes.

They’ve been really impressive, Salah and Van Dijk with the goals and the visitors are good value for their lead.

Villa have had a couple of bright moments in forward areas themselves, not clinical enough though.

18:18 , Matt Verri

45+2 mins: It’s yet another chance for Nunez!

Superb ball in from Alexander-Arnold, the striker is completely free six-yards out but sends the effort straight at Olsen.

18:17 , Matt Verri

45 mins: Henderson tries his luck from the edge of the box, comfortable enough for Olsen.

Three minutes added on at the end of the half.

18:15 , Matt Verri

43 mins: Bailey topples over and expects the whistle to follow, which it does. Unfortunately for him it’s for a Liverpool free-kick.

The hosts win it back and Buendia gets free down the left, low cross is hacked away by Van Dijk though.

18:12 , Matt Verri

40 mins: Thiago nearly puts Alexander-Arnold in with a lovely clipped pass, just too much on it though.

Liverpool have looked sensational going forward this evening, plenty to like about this display.

Henderson with the driving run this time, tells an offside Nunez to get out of his way. Liverpool opt to turn back and just keep the ball.

GOAL! Aston Villa 0-2 Liverpool | Virgil van Dijk 37'

18:09 , Matt Verri

Great run from Oxlade-Chamberlain, bundles his way through a couple of challenges and plays it wide to Nunez.

He drives into the box, cuts inside onto his right foot and the shot deflects wide before Mings boots it behind for a corner.

Alexander-Arnold whips it in, ball bobbles around and comes back to Van Dijk... WHO SMASHES IT HOME! Great finish.

18:05 , Matt Verri

34 mins: Villa keeping faith with the high line, just about get it right this time.

Nunez is away again, looks to square it to Robertson and it’s a brilliant interception from Mings to stop the left-back having a tap-in.

All for nothing, the flag does now go up for offside.

18:04 , Matt Verri

33 mins: Nice drop of the shoulder from Bailey as he drops into midfield, turning away from Thiago.

Looks to slide a cute pass through to Watkins, no real space for it though and Alisson can came out to claim.

18:03 , Matt Verri

31 mins: Henderson whips the ball over the top, it’s on every time.

Salah gets there, into the box but he drags the left-footed effort wide as Mings closes him down.

18:00 , Matt Verri

28 mins: Chaos in the Liverpool box, bodies flying everywhere after a Buendia backheel. Appeals for a penalty as Alexander-Arnold shoves Digne, waved away.

Now Konsa shanks a clearance and Nunez volleys it at goal when clean through, straight at Olsen!

17:57 , Matt Verri

25 mins: Robertson clips the cross into the box, Nunez heads over. May well have been offside.

Klopp will be thrilled with what he’s seen from his side so far, even if they have been somewhat vulnerable at the back.

17:55 , Matt Verri

24 mins: Salah wins a corner for his side as he drifts into the box, cross is charged down. Robertson over to take.

Van Dijk absolutely clatters into Konsa at the back post, that will be a free-kick. Good header that from the Villa man under really pressure anyway.

17:53 , Matt Verri

22 mins: Alexander-Arnold with a one-man press, all the way up to Olsen. Liverpool are right up for this.

Nunez has been a bit clumsy so far, but he’s really worrying the Villa defence. Constantly making that run in behind.

17:51 , Matt Verri

20 mins: Luiz too keen to close Robertson down, gives away the free-kick.

Looks a really painful one for the left-back, ankle got caught there by the midfielder. Looks like he’ll be fine for now. It will be him or Alexander-Arnold to whip it in.

Robertson it is, Matip heads home.... OFFSIDE! Liverpool thought they had a second but the flag goes up.

17:49 , Matt Verri

17 mins: Match has settled down a bit now, and Villa are right in it.

And now they have another huge opportunity! McGinn with a wonderful ball in, Watkins free at the back post but his diving header bounces straight up for Alisson.

At the other end, Nunez gets his feet in a tangle as the ball comes in.

17:45 , Matt Verri

14 mins: Big, big chance for Bailey!

Buendia is away down the left, Alexander-Arnold nowhere to be seen. Cross into the near post, rolls through to Bailey ten yards out and it’s a wild hack at the ball.

Loops straight up and Alisson can claim. Should really have scored.

17:44 , Matt Verri

13 mins: Robertson flying forward at will on the left wing.

He lobs the ball over the top to Oxlade-Chamberlain this time, bit too much on it though and Young can see it out of play.

17:42 , Matt Verri

10 mins: Nunez standing right on the Villa centre-backs, waiting for the ball in behind.

Alexander-Arnold plays it towards him, it’s Oxlade-Chamberlain who gets on the end of it instead before he’s eventually closed down. Offside flag should have gone up.

17:40 , Matt Verri

8 mins: Nunez with a break down the left now, his cross into the box is cleared away though. Liverpool have flown out of the blocks.

McGinn floats a ball over the top to Watkins, hammered at goal and it’s a brilliant save by Alisson! Not that it matters, offside flag eventually up.

GOAL! Aston Villa 0-1 Liverpool | Mohamed Salah 5'

17:37 , Matt Verri

LIVERPOOL TAKE THE LEAD!

They didn’t have to wait long. Alexander-Arnold with a stunning pass over the top to Robertson, he squares it across the six-yard box and it’s a simple finish for Salah!

17:36 , Matt Verri

4 mins: Mings and Olsen collided as that ball came in, the centre-back has stayed down for a couple of minutes now receiving treatment. Chambers warming up on the touchline.

Mings back up on his feet now, not looking too great but he’s continuing for now.

17:34 , Matt Verri

2 mins: Not exactly a convincing start from Liverpool.

Villa burst forward, played down the middle to Watkins who finds space in between the centre-backs. Gets an effort away at goal, comfortable save for Alisson though.

At the other end Robertson puts a brilliant low cross in for Nunez, he’s completely free but opts to dummy instead. Had to go for goal.

KICK-OFF!

17:32 , Matt Verri

A minute’s silence is observed ahead of kick-off, in memory of 1966 World Cup winner George Cohen.

We’re underway for the penultimate Premier League match on Boxing Day.

Here we go!

17:27 , Matt Verri

Teams are out onto the pitch at Villa Park.

Brilliant atmosphere as ever, with McGinn and Henderson leading their sides out. Kick-off coming up next!

17:22 , Matt Verri

Plenty of Liverpool players with points to prove. Alexander-Arnold after not really featuring at the World Cup, Oxlade-Chamberlain making a rare start and Nunez looking to really settle in after his summer move, to name a few.

This is a tough first match back for the Reds, against a Villa side full of confidence and roared on by their home fans.

Emery and his players will move to within a point of Liverpool with a win here.

Emery’s pre-match thoughts

17:17 , Matt Verri

“We want to play each match doing our best, not thinking about our targets at the end [of the season]. We’re thinking about each match - three points is our target.

“I know better our players, we were working over some issues [during the World Cup] and getting to know each other. Today is about how we used the break to improve.”

Not long now!

17:14 , Matt Verri

Warm-ups almost done, kick-off coming up in 15 minutes.

There’s been at least three goals in every Premier League match so far - no pressure guys...

Liverpool have to fix away day woes

17:07 , Matt Verri

Liverpool are 14th in the ‘away Premier League table’ so far this season, winning just once on the road in the league.

Three draws and two defeats apart from that victory over Tottenham, so this will be a real test for them this evening.

Villa have only lost twice at home - Emery and his side will be confident.

Klopp on challenge facing his side

17:00 , Matt Verri

“I think what you can expect is that Unai stands for a specific kind of football and was really successful and did an incredible job at Villarreal, not only there but now recently there.

“What you saw in the first few games they played and the games we could see in this ‘pre-season’ now, it looks quite similar because it is a good way to play and it’s his way and it’s how he wants to organise a team.

“So, yes of course we don’t know exactly what to expect, like you never know exactly what to expect, but at least we have an idea how they will try to cause us problems. So, that’s what we prepare for.”

As it stands...

16:52 , Matt Verri

Liverpool go into this match seventh in the table, 15 points off the pace set by Arsenal.

They’re eight points behind Spurs in fourth, though they do have two games in hand over Antonio Conte’s side.

Villa are 12th as it stands, but victory this evening would lift them up into the top half.

Liverpool are here...

16:43 , Matt Verri

Klopp makes changes

16:38 , Matt Verri

Olsen gets the nod in goal for Villa in the absence Martinez, while Watkins starts up front as Ings has to settle for a place on the bench.

Buendia and Bailey also start, with Coutinho also among the substitutes along with 16-year-old Kadan Young.

As for Liverpool, it’s six changes from the side that lost in the Carabao Cup in midweek.

Henderson and Alexander-Arnold are back in the side, with Matip and Van Dijk the centre-back pairing. Oxlade-Chamberlain is fit to start too.

Milner out with injury as expected, along with the longer-term absentees like Jota and Diaz.

Aston Villa team news

16:32 , Matt Verri

Starting XI: Olsen, A. Young, Konsa, Mings, Digne, McGinn, Kamara, Douglas Luiz, Buendia, Watkins, Bailey.

Subs: Marschall, Cash, Ings, Chambers, Bednarek, Coutinho, Dendoncker, Archer, K. Young.

Liverpool team news

16:30 , Matt Verri

Starting XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Thiago; Salah, Nunez, Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Subs: Kelleher, Gomez, Keita, Elliott, Tsimikas, Carvalho, Phillips, Bajcetic, Doak

Klopp on title ambitions

16:21 , Matt Verri

Jurgen Klopp insists Liverpool are still within “punching distance” of the title race despite a slow start to the season.

The Reds had to wait until November for their first win away from home in the Premier League, and their four league defeats is already double their tally from the entirety of last campaign.

It means they are 15 points behind table-toppers Arsenal, with Klopp’s side sitting in sixth after 14 games.

“We obviously left a gap between us and the much more exciting spots in the table, but we consider ourselves in the moment within punching distance and that means we have to chase and that’s what we will do,” Klopp said.

Visitors have arrived!

16:12 , Matt Verri

Last time out for Liverpool...

16:04 , Matt Verri

Liverpool have already had one competitive match back since the World Cup.

They fell to a 3-2 defeat against Manchester City in midweek in the Carabao Cup - it was plenty of fun!

Salah looking to click into gear

15:56 , Matt Verri

Mohamed Salah has five goals in his last five appearances against Aston Villa in all competitions.

It’s been a quiet season so far for the Egyptian, as it has been for many of his team-mates. His tally of six Premier League goals leaves him 12 behing Erling Haaland and seven behind Harry Kane.

He’ll be looking to get things up and running again in style this evening.

Villa to pick up from where they left off?

15:47 , Matt Verri

Unai Emery made an impressive start to life as Aston Villa boss before the World Cup.

His side beat Manchester United 3-1 on home soil in his first match in charge, before a Danny Ings brace gave them a win over Brighton.

There was a defeat to Man United in the Carabao Cup in between those wins, but there was certainly plenty for Emery to be enocuraged by.

Perfect evening for it!

15:40 , Matt Verri

Klopp on January plans

15:33 , Matt Verri

Jurgen Klopp has suggested Liverpool could look to make a “very positive” signing in the January transfer window.

The Reds are currently depleted in forward areas, with Diogo Jota out with a hamstring injury and Luis Diaz suffering a serious setback in his recovery from a knee injury. Roberto Firmino is also currently on the sidelines, though it is not expected to be a long-term issue.

Diaz was signed 12 months ago and made a flying start to life in England as he gave the Reds a real boost for the second half of the season. Klopp hopes Liverpool can find someone to have a similar impact this campaign.

“Last season we had Luis Diaz come in, which was very helpful for that part of the season, everybody would see that the same way,” Klopp said.

“But doing something again that is very positive - why not?”

Evening Standard prediction

15:26 , Matt Verri

Villa’s promise under Emery should see them put in a good display, back by a hyped Boxing Day home crowd. Liverpool can thrive in that environment too and, if stars return, this could make for a fascinating watch.

A 2-2 draw.

Liverpool team news

15:19 , Matt Verri

James Milner will miss out for Liverpool after picking up a hamstring injury against Man City, a game which Trent Alexander-Arnold missed due to illness. The right-back is a doubt, Klopp has confirmed, but otherwise match fit after barely featuring at the World Cup. The same for Fabinho, who played just once for Brazil.

Roberto Firmino joins Diogo Jota (calf), Arthur Melo (thigh) and Luis Diaz (knee) in the treatment room after suffering a calf issue, with Curtis Jones almost fit.

Predicted Liverpool XI: Alisson; Gomez, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago; Salah, Nunez, Carvalho.

Aston Villa team news

15:12 , Matt Verri

World Cup finalist Emi Martinez and will miss out for Aston Villa, although Philippe Coutinho could feature against his old club after returning to training.

Jacob Ramsey (hamstring) has been ruled out for three matches and Diego Carlos is a long-term absentee for Villa.

How to watch Aston Villa vs Liverpool

15:04 , Matt Verri

TV channel: In the UK, the match will be televised live on Amazon Prime Video.

Live stream: Fans can also catch the game live online via the Amazon Prime Video app and website.

Live blog: You can follow all the action right here with us!

Good afternoon!

14:58 , Matt Verri

Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Aston Villa vs Liverpool!

The Boxing Day fun continues this evening, with the Premier League back up and running after the break for the World Cup.

Aston Villa were on a high six weeks ago, making a strong start to life under Unai Emery. As for Liverpool, they’ll be hoping a fresh start brings a much-needed return to form.

We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news ahead of kick-off, which comes at 5:30pm GMT from Villa Park.