Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool player ratings: Salah gets another double but Reds drop points
Liverpool dropped more points in their Premier League title chase as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Aston Villa.
The Reds still hold a comfortable lead at the top of the table, but missed out on the chance to go 10 points clear at the top — albeit having played a game more. Things got off to a good start for Liverpool at Villa Park as Mo Salah put them ahead following a defensive mistake from the hosts.
But Aston Villa were ahead by half-time, thanks to goals from Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins. The lead lasted until the hour-mark, when Trent Alexander-Arnold’s effort was deflected in.
Neither side could find the winner, meaning Liverpool will have to settle for an eight-point gap.
Aston Villa player ratings
Emiliano Martinez: 56%
It was a relatively quiet night for both goalkeepers, aside from having to pick the ball out of their nets twice. Emiliano Martinez had just once save to make alongside the goals conceded. But his goals prevented total was -0.6, obviously hurt by how central Liverpool’s second goal was (via a deflection).
Andres Garcia: 45%
Andres Garcia was the unfortunate man to start Liverpool’s attack for their first goal, essentially playing a through ball to Jota. It was a dangerous pass deep into his own half, and Liverpool capitalised. Defensively, Garcia won three of his six duels and won possession once, alongside one tackle won.
Axel Disasi: 51%
Continuing his run at centre-back, Axel Disasi had his moments of solid defending, though they did come once Darwin Nunez had entered the pitch. The Frenchman made six clearances and had a retention rate of 93.33%, but didn’t win an aerial duel and only 60% of his ground duels.
Tyrone Mings: 56%
He was unfortunately the man to divert Alexander-Arnold’s shot past Martinez, but Tyrone Mings still had a decent game. He won 100% of his ground duels and completed 87.5% of his forward passes. The Englishman made five clearances, blocked two shots and was fairly reliable at the back.
Lucas Digne: 65%
It was Lucas Digne’s lovely cross into the box that set up Watkins to put Villa 2-1 up just before half time. That was one of two chances Digne created on the night, more than any other Villa player at the time of his substitution. But he had a busy night up against Salah, winning two tackles and three of his five contested duels.
John McGinn: 56%
John McGinn was a battler as normal for Aston Villa as part of their double pivot. The Scot won six of his nine contested duels, winning two tackles. You couldn’t keep him out of the action both on and off the ball. McGinn also had 10 passes in the final third and one touch in the opposition box.
Youri Tielemans: 63%
Scorer of Aston Villa’s equaliser, Youri Tielemans got his goal from a corner. But he was once again a solid man to rely on defensively. As part of the double pivot, the Belgian won three tackles, eight duels and won 72.73% of his ground duels. He also completed six passes into the final third. Tielemans is looking a tidy player.
Marco Asensio: 61%
Marco Asensio had a pretty quiet game in terms of probing the Liverpool defence, despite his 12 passes in the final third. He failed to create a chance or have a shot before coming off in the 67th minute. Asensio did win possession three times, though, completed his sole take-on attempt.
FT: Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool
It finishes all square at Villa Park in an incredibly entertaining game. 🤝#AVLLIV pic.twitter.com/OyC5MTRCf6
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) February 19, 2025
Morgan Rogers: 57%
Morgan Rogers was the one Aston Villa attacking midfielder to complete the 90 minutes and he had his moments. He completed four take-ons and constantly looked to get at the Liverpool defence. But his Score is hurt by the lack of chances created or ball recoveries.
Marcus Rashford: 64%
Marcus Rashford had a shot on target against Liverpool, but he didn’t really test Alisson. The Englishman was another on the periphery slightly, having just one touch in the opposition box. Rashford was taken off in the 67th minute, as Unai Emery looked to find something different in attack. He did play 15 passes in the final third, the most of any Villa player at the time of his substitution.
Ollie Watkins: 69%
Ollie Watkins put Villa in front just before half time with a lovely header, getting onto the end of Digne’s cross. The Englishman recorded a non-penalty Expected Goals on Target total of 0.92, boosted by the placement of his header. Watkins also won three aerial duels and completed four lay off passes.
Liverpool player ratings
Alisson: 58%
Like his opposite number, Alisson made one save and conceded two goals. He also prevented -0.45 goals. But he gets a slightly better Score partially thanks to his long ball accuracy, at 71.43%.
Trent Alexander-Arnold: 66%
There was a slice of good fortune in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s equaliser, with his shot taking a big deflection. But he was once again trying to pull the strings for Liverpool. The Englishman created four chances, the most of any player during his time on the pitch. Alexander-Arnold also made 17 passes into the final third, another team high.
Ibrahima Konate: 64%
Ibrahima Konate was on a one-man mission to stop Aston Villa from scoring at times. He made a whopping 10 clearances, more than any other player. The Frenchman also won all four of his attempted tackles, and won 87.5% of his ground duels. Konate’s passing could have been a bit better, that shouldn’t take away from a relatively decent display.
Virgil van Dijk: 60%
Virgil van Dijk wasn’t as unbeatable as he usually is, winning just 66.67% of his aerial duels and 50% of his ground battles. But he did still win six aerial duels. On the ball, Van Dijk completed eight passes into the final third.
Andrew Robertson: 66%
Like his full-back partner, Andrew Robertson looked good. But the Scot was more about the defensive side of the game, making three interceptions retaining possession. Going forward, Robertson did still create one big chance and had six touches in the opposition box as Liverpool pushed for a winner.
Ryan Gravenberch: 60%
He may not be performing at as high a level as he was earlier in the season, but Ryan Gravenberch remains reliable for Arne Slot. Against Villa, the Dutchman had a retention rate of 86.36% and completed 90.63% of his open-play passes.
Alexis Mac Allister: 66%
Alexis Mac Allister was as busy as you’d expect him to be, winning four tackles. He also made one interception and won four fouls himself, putting his body on the line for his team. The Argentine did also won 10 duels, the most of any Liverpool player while he was on the pitch, and won possession five times. Mac Allister had the most touches and best passing accuracy for Liverpool while on the pitch, so it’s no surprise he was booed by Villa fans when he went off.
Mo Salah: 78%
It was another game with a goal and an assist for Mo Salah. The Egyptian scored the opening goal with a calm finish having been set up by Jota. He then created the equaliser with a pass to Alexander-Arnold in the second half. It’s the 10th time Salah has done the double in a Premier League game this season, the first player to achieve that feat in one of Europe’s top five leagues since LioneL Messi in 2014-15. Not bad.
Mohamed Salah's incredible season just keeps going. 🤯
He has now been directly involved in 39 goals in just 26 Premier League matches in 2024/25 and is closing in on the record for the most G+A in a 38-game PL campaign (44).
◉ 24 goals
◉ 15 assistsThe forward is the first… pic.twitter.com/C84OJNl2sE
— Squawka (@Squawka) February 19, 2025
Curtis Jones: 57%
Curtis Jones wasn’t a name heard too much at Villa Park, stuck in a tough and tight midfield battle. He failed to create a chance, but did have three ball recoveries and won one tackle.
Dominic Szoboszlai: 71%
Alisson might blame him for Tielemans’ goal, with a poor headed clearance when the Brazilian looked ready to claim it. But Dominic Szoboszlai had a good game on the right wing. He should have had an assist with a great pass to Darwin Nunez in the second half, but the Uruguayan sent his shot flying. Szoboszlai also had an incredible 12 touches in the opposition box.
Diogo Jota: 66%
Diogo Jota set up Salah’s opener with a good pass inside the box, having received an errant pass. It was a good decision by the Portuguese forward, and not one all attacking players would have made. Playing through the middle, Jota also had six shot though failed to hit the target once — including an effort that skimmed the crossbar following a lovely first touch. He did miss a pretty big chance in the first half, with just the goalkeeper to beat.
How do Squawka player ratings work?
Squawka’s new player rating system is wholly stats-based. Player scores are based on the numbers they put up across a range of on-ball events, from goals scored to tackles won.
We tailored each score to the players’ respective positions using extensive research and expertise. For example, forwards are rated on metrics like shots on target, touches in the opposition box, and big chances created. Meanwhile, centre-backs are rewarded for winning aerial duels, making blocks, successful long-range passes, etc.
