Emi Martínez had a rare night off for Arsenal, giving Arsenal a glimmer of hope in the title race they probably would have already been in if he hadn't been sold to Villa four years ago…
Emi Martinez robbed Gary Neville less than two minutes into the match. “The way he gives the team confidence is unbelievable,” Neville said before kick-off, adding that Martínez was a Premier League player before the departure of a “huge character” who is perhaps the loudest of the top-flight players. He made it clear that he would be on the team of the year. He's a goalkeeper this season, but Burnley's Arijanette Muric will likely provide him with the goals.
Liverpool penetrated Aston Villa's left flank, and Harvey Elliott's cross took a deflection, looped into Martinez's midfield, then left his midsection and crossed the goal line.
This was shocking, as Spurs will aim to qualify for the Champions League unless Villa wins ahead of their visit to Manchester City on Tuesday, so Arsenal fans who were watching the match with interest commented, “Once upon a time, Gooner… Always Gooner,” posted one.
If Arsenal fans were to be upset that letting Unai Emery leave the club was a mistake, if Martinez had scored instead of one of the worst shots in the team, they would probably have won the Premier League title by now. That means he would have had it in his hands. stopper.
In order to avoid a lot of gnashing of teeth, and for our own sanity, I think I have to point out that David Raya is good at both catching crosses and handling the ball at his feet, but he It's questionable whether he's worth nine more goals per game than Martinez. These were his two good sides, a not-so-impressive night for the Argentine. Differences in ability to save shots.
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Martínez, who scored one goal, contributed to Liverpool's second goal after Villa equalized through Youri Tielemans. The goalkeeper left much of the target for Joe Gomez, diving from close to his near post and feeding the left-back's pass straight to Kodi Gakpo, who couldn't miss from two yards out. “He was probably the bad guy in that game too,” a sheepish Neville admitted in the Sky Sports studio at half-time.
Diego Carlos made some kind of mistake two yards out at the other end and Ollie Watkins first nudged Watkins out of the way before swiping in Leon Bailey's cross, making Villa the first player in Villa's history to score 20 in the Premier League of the season. He prevented him from becoming a goal scorer. Directly in front of the striker with the goal wide open.
Villa missed a 0.96xG chance in the first half, and Watkins made a great play to set up Tielemans' goal, but he missed one chance himself, giving Villa the advantage. Moussa Diaby, on the other hand, could have played better when John McGinn went through.
Liverpool's defense was ropey at best, with the press as dysfunctional as it was for much of last season, with Villa's midfielders feeding Bailey, Diaby and Watkins at will behind the back four. I was able to give.
Bailey and Watkins had a heated exchange after the latter had his goal ruled out for offside after leaving a through ball for Diaby who could have provided an assist. Seconds later, Watkins, who was in a much better position to score with Douglas Lewis, could have been similarly reprimanded after attempting the same backheel. The frustration was evident among players, fans and managers.
Jarrell Quansah gave Liverpool a two-goal lead with an incredible leap from Elliott's free-kick and a stunning header that hit the back post. And Jurgen Klopp's side looked set to finish the game with relative ease, even without Alexis Mac Allister's rotten minutes.
The Liverpool midfielder mismanaged a pass from Alisson, allowing Villa substitute John Duran to fire a powerful shot past the Reds' goalkeeper, before Diaby breezed past Mac Allister and sent France home. A man's overhit pass hit Duran and was sucked into the loop net.
The 20-year-old's late brace was significant as it meant Villa could safely qualify for the Champions League after dropping points from Tottenham. Picking up a point on the final day at Crystal Palace is a tall order given Spurs' incredible run of form, but even if Spurs picked up six points it might be enough, but on goal difference The eight-goal swing required to take fourth place is not beyond the realm of possibility. Ange Postecoglou's side will travel to Bramall Lane on the final day.
It was a perfect result for Arsenal as Spurs need to beat Manchester City on Tuesday. They therefore owe a debt to former stooge Martinez – who would have been preparing for an open-top bus parade with his Gunners teammates by now if he hadn't been sold four years ago. I am grateful to Tottenham for making him an offer during his rare off-season. The glimmer of hope we need against Manchester City to open the door to a title fight.
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