Liverpool finally end the slump with a stylish 2-0 win over Aston Villa

Match Report

Liverpool snapped a four-match winless run in the Premier League by defeating Aston Villa 2-0 on Saturday in matchweek ten. Salah opened the scoring just after the break, converting from close range at 45+1, and Ryan Gravenberch doubled the lead with a strike from the edge of the box at 58. The win lifts Liverpool to 18 points, temporarily placing them third, while Villa sit on 15 points in 11th. Liverpool fielded a front three of Salah, Cody Gakpo and Hugo Ekitike, while Villa lined up with Ollie Watkins supported by Morgan Rogers and a quick attacking lineup. Emiliano Martínez was busy, making several key saves to keep Villa in the contest.

Villa created the game’s first clear opening in the 5th minute when a Rogers pass found Watkins and his angled shot clipped the post after a smart run. Liverpool replied through Dominik Szoboszlai in the 15th minute, and Salah and Gakpo combined on a dangerous move that tested Villa’s defense without yielding a goal. A cross from Robertson and a late first-half chance saw a header from Ekitike ruled offside just before the break.

At the restart, Villa pressed briefly as Rogers forced a save from Martínez; Liverpool’s pressure paid off when Gravenberch’s intricate move ended with a shot that deflected off the defender and wrong-footed Martínez, doubling the lead at 58. The hosts continued to press for a third as Salah and other attackers looked for a finish, but the scoreline remained 2-0.

The match also featured a series of substitutions as Villa brought on Donyell Malen and Ross Barkley, while Ian Maatsen entered for Liverpool to assist the defense. In the 79th minute, Barkley’s late push saw a long-range effort skim the bar as Villa tried to mount a comeback, but Liverpool’s back line—led by Van Dijk and Konaté—held strong. Jadon Sancho later tested the goalkeeper with a driven shot, but it climbed over the crossbar, and the game finished with Liverpool’s clean sheet intact.

In summary, Liverpool dominated long enough to secure the win, their first in a run of losses, and strengthened their position near the top of the table. Villa’s attempts to respond came up just short, and the Reds celebrated a much-needed result as the season progresses.

Punchline 1: Aim small, miss small—Liverpool aimed at a win and hit the target twice.

Punchline 2: If defending were a sniper’s job, Villa’s back line would need a scope—the aiming was off, but the net was still hit by Salah and Gravenberch.