Aston Villa 1 Liverpool 2 - Report and pictures

Trezeguet’s opener had Dean Smith’s men on course to inflict a first league defeat since January on the Premier League leaders.

But Andrew Robertson headed the visitors level with three minutes remaining, before Mane won it at the death.

Roberto Firmino had seen a first-half leveller ruled out by a marginal offside call, confirmed by VAR.

Analysis

Villa’s player sunk to their knees at the final whistle, following an agonising finish.

But the applause they received from home supporters spoke volumes about a performance full of grit, determination and quality from Smith’s men.

They led early from Trezeguet’s first goal for the club and then defended superbly in the second period as Liverpool ramped up the pressure.

Just when fans were beginning to believe their team would hold out, Robertson levelled, with Mane’s winner adding a cruel, final twist.

Skipper Jack Grealish was facing a race to be fit after being forced out of last weekend’s 3-0 defeat at Manchester City with a calf injury. The 24-year-old ultimately sat out after failing a late fitness test, with Anwar El Ghazi replacing him in the XI.

It was the Dutch winger who would have the first big chance of the match, just 35 seconds in.

Villa advanced down the left, with Wesley finding El Ghazi in the middle of the park. When he tried to advance past Virgil van Dijk, he was assisted inadvertently by Mane who only succeeded in putting the Villa man through into the box. The shot was well struck but straight at Alisson.

Still, it was encouraging stuff from the hosts, who went close again when Matt Targett’s cross was agonisingly missed by both Wesley and Tyrone Mings.

Liverpool then looked to be finding their feet and Mane should have given them the lead, only to head wide from just six yards out after meeting Jordan Henderson’s cross. A minute later, Mo Salah brought a fine save out of Tom Heaton after being picked out by van Dijk’s pinpoint long ball.

But on 21 minutes it was Villa who took the lead. Mane brought down John McGinn on the left wing and the latter swung in a free-kick which Trezeguet arrived to meet at the far post, his volley hitting the legs of Alisson but possessing enough power to beat the keeper.

Villa had seen goals ruled out VAR in each of their last two home Premier League matches and there was a feeling of dread among supporters when it was announced the goal was being checked for offside. A huge roar met the restart, with the goal given.

Instead it was Liverpool soon feeling aggrieved with the technology. Crucially, the assistant referee raised his flag when Firmino tapped home Mane’s cross at the far post. On replays it appeared, to the naked eye, the Brazilian was onside. But VAR revealed the striker’s shoulder was millimetres ahead of Tyrone Ming’s knee and the decision stood.

Salah fired over soon after but the visitors could not quite find their rhythm and the same applied at the start of the second half, Mane shooting straight at Heaton.

Gradually, the leaders began to move through the gears and Heaton did brilliantly to spread himself and deny Mane at point blank range, after the forward had arrived to meet Henderson’s cross at the far post.

Villa were now putting bodies on the line and Engels and Mings both blocked shots from substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in quick succession.

When Liverpool did find a way past Villa’s backline, they could not finish their chances, with Adam Lallana missing a glorious one when he shot wide from a Firmino pull back.

Then came a huge chance for Villa to seal it. The tireless Marvelous Nakamba sent forward a pass missed by Alexander-Arnold. Trezeguet shaped to shoot byt played in Conor Hourihane, just on as a substitute. The Republic of Ireland international had just Alisson to beat yet opted to square the ball for Wesley, with van Dijk nipping in to clear.

Alexander-Arnold drilled a shot wide as the match entered the final 10 minutes with Villa Park now a crescendo of noise.

Liverpool eventually broke through with three minutes to go. Mane crossed superbly to the far post and Robertson arrived to head home, finally breaking Villa’s resistance.

Alexander-Arnold saw a free-kick deflected narrowly over the bar and it looked like Villa would escape with a point.

But from the corner, Mane got in front of Hourihane to flick a header beyond Heaton and into the far corner.

Key Moments

21 - GOAL Trezeguet opens his account for Villa as he volleys home John McGinn’s free-kick at the far post. The goal is checked by VAR for offside but stands.

29 - NO GOAL Roberto Firmino thinks he has levelled for the visitors when he converts Sadio Mane’s cross only for the assistant referee to raise his flag. VAR confirms the striker’s shoulder was mere millimetres offside.

87 - GOAL Andrew Robertson finally breaks through Villa’s defences, arriving at the far post to head home Sadio Mane’s brilliant cross.

90+4 GOAL Mane breaks Villa’s hearts, heading home Alexander-Arnold’s corner.

Teams

Villa (4-3-3): Heaton, Guilbert (Elmohamady 69), Engels, Mings (c), Targett, McGinn, Nakamba, Luiz (Hourihane 72), Trezeguet, Wesley (Kodjia 86), El Ghazi Subs not used: Konsa, Taylor, Lansbury, Steer (gk).

Liverpool (4-3-3): Alisson, Alexander-Arnold (Keita 84), Lovren, van Dijk, Robertson, Lallana, Henderson ©, Wijnaldum (Origi 65), Firmino, Salah (Oxlade-Chamberlain 65), Mane Subs not used: Fabinho, Milner, Gomez, Adrian (gk).