Aston Villa boss Unai Emery disagrees with Arne Slot but makes brilliant Liverpool ‘levels’ claim

Unai Emery reckons Aston Villa were deserving of a share of the spoils against Liverpool.

The Reds missed the opportunity to go 10 points clear at the summit of the Premier League table after being held to a 2-2 draw at Villa Park. Liverpool went ahead through Mo Salah’s 29th-minute strike but found themselves at half-time when Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins netted for the home side.
The Reds levelled in the second period through Trent Alexander-Arnold before Darwin Nunez spurned a gilt-edged opportunity to put the away side in front. Villa also had a late chance but Donyell Malen dragged just wide in stoppage-time.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot felt that his side should have won and was not happy with the outcome. But Emery was pleased with Villa’s performance and couldn’t argue with the outcome. I’m happy with the match we played and how we performed,” he told VillaTV.
“We’re in a new era, a new way. We’re not happy drawing at home, of course, we did against Ipswich Town on Saturday and again we repeated with a draw.

“I think the result was fair, because I think both teams were creating chances and sometimes dominating one team and then another team. More or less, over 90 minutes, I think the result is fair.
“But, of course, we wanted to win and the most important thing was we showed until the last minute how we were pushing, how we were attacking, trying to get a third goal. And we tried until the last moment, but the result is not enough. We can be happy with how we played, how we performed.”
Liverpool are still on track to claim their 20th English title and second of the Premier League era. They are eight points above second-placed Arsenal, albeit having played a game more. Emery accepts that the Reds had more chances on goal against Villa and that the ‘levels’ of the attacking players them difficult to repel.