Caoimhin Kelleher
Unfortunately let Hourihane’s free-kick sneak underneath his body and couldn’t do anything about the Elmohamady cross that looped off Gallacher’s shin.
Raced off his line to stop Kodjia getting on the end off a through ball and tipped one round the post from him but couldn’t stop the Ivory Coast international one on one after Jota put him through and again from close range after Elmohamady’s ball across.
Made another smart stop with his foot from Trezeguet in the second-half but Wesley’s finish too strong late on.
Ki-Jana Hoever
Was strong defensively on the right to win the ball back for Liverpool and was there so often when the team needed him to deal well with the likes of Mahmoud Trezeguet.
Broke forward well too, getting around Elliott and putting crosses in while helping in an attacking sense. Showed excellent pace to get back as Villa broke on the counter on a couple of occasions, stopping the likes of a talented Jota.
Sepp van den Berg
Great recovery to thwart an Aston Villa attack as Trezeguet knocked one past him and was the voice in Liverpool’s back line to command the players around him.
A loose touch unfortunately fell to Jota before he put Kodjia in to strike the ball under Kelleher for the home side’s third.
See how the game between Liverpool and Villa unfolded HERE
Morgan Boyes
Important interception early on and worked really hard to shut Villa out alongside Van den Berg and was a good marshal in the heart of defence. Made an important as Douglas Luiz looked to thread one through as well.
Tony Gallagher
Broke forward well to give Liverpool an outlet down the left and did well defensively to stop Kodjia threatening on occasions but found it difficult to stop Elmohamady putting one across for the aforementioned attacker to score just before half-time.
Pedro Chirivella
Tried to control the play from the centre of the park and spread the ball wide to the likes of Longstaff and Elliott to get Liverpool moving. Guilty of a couple of slack passes which fortunately didn’t cost his side but worked hard to lead.
Herbie Kane
Forced Nyland into two excellent stops from close range and worked really well in midfield to help his side and always demanded the ball. Nearly turned Hill’s effort but the keeper was equal to it.
Isaac Christie-Davies
Struck one jwell after a corner was played back to him that was deflected wide and almost scored by knocking one over Nyland, only for the goalkeeper to tip it over the bar. Booked for a strong challenge on Henri Lansbury.
Harvey Elliott
Good pressure to put the Villa defence on the backfoot and the main creative force at the head of the field. Forced Nyland to tip one behind for a corner and struck another into the side netting. Worked really hard and even dropped deep to collect the ball and take Liverpool forward.
Great cross to put one on the head of Kane after a quick interchange with Bearne.
Tom Hill
Good link-up play with Elliott, hassled and harried the Villa players from the front and put himself about as best as he could. Was a difficult night to really influence the game with strong senior defenders constantly around him.
Luis Longstaff
Did a lot of running and helped set the tone with consistent high pressing. Also found it hard to influence the game with an experienced Villa backline marshalling him every time Liverpool broke.
Substitutes
Jack Bearne (65’ for Longstaff)
Did well linking up with Elliott and showed quick feet before playing the ball back to his teammate to cross for Kane and was energetic up front.
Leighton Clarkson (78’ for Christie-Davies)
Looked tidy with the ball at his feet and calm under pressure. Almost headed home after a shot was pushed back out by Nyland.
James Norris (82’ for Hoever)
Lively down the left and had a good interchange with Kane.
