Arsenal vs West Ham LIVE: Premier League result and final score as Eddie Nketiah goal completes comeback
Arsenal moved seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table after goals from Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah completed a second-half comeback against West Ham.
The Premier League leaders were missing the injured Gabriel Jesus for the first time this season and trailed at half time after Said Benrahma converted a first-half penalty.
But in the absence of Jesus, Arsenal’s other forwards stepped up when Saka and Martinelli scored in the space of five minutes to flip the Boxing Day fixture on its head, with Nketiah adding a third with a brilliant turn and finish shortly afterwards.
The win was Arsenal’s fourth in a row, moving them seven points clear of Newcastle and eight ahead of Manchester City, and came as former manager Arsene Wenger returned to the club for the first time since his exit in 2018.
Follow all the reaction from the final Premier League outing on Boxing Day below
Arsenal vs West Ham
FT! Arsenal return from World Cup to move seven points clear at top of the Premier League table
69’ GOAL! Nketiah spins Kehrer in the box before firing brilliant finish into the corner (ARS 3-1 WHU)
58’ GOAL! Martinelli catches Fabianski out at near post as Arsenal complete rapid turnaround (ARS 2-1 WHU)
53’ GOAL! Odegaard’s wayward shot finds Saka who equalises for Arsenal (ARS 1-1 WHU)
45+3’ NO PENALTY! Referee Oliver points to the spot but VAR correctly overturns handball decision (ARS 0-1 WHU)
27’ GOAL! Benrahma stays cool to put it down the middle as West Ham take the lead (ARS 0-1 WHU)
25’ PENALTY WEST HAM! Bowen goes down in the box after Saliba dives in (ARS 0-0 WHU)
5’ NO GOAL! Saka strike ruled out for offside after slight touch in build up (ARS 0-0 WHU)
Arsenal FC 3 - 1 West Ham United FC
FT Arsenal 3-1 West Ham
22:04 , Michael Jones
Arsenal are striding forward in their quest to lift the Premier League trophy and their young players are leading the way.
Full-time: Arsenal 3-1 West Ham
22:00 , Michael Jones
90+4 mins: Arsenal had to fight and come from behind in order to see off West Ham but three second half goals from Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah sees them hold onto their lead at the top of the Premier League table.
They are now seven points clear of Newcastle in second place and eight ahead of Manchester City who face Leeds on Wednesday.
Arsenal 3-1 West Ham
21:58 , Michael Jones
90+3 mins: Save! Thomas Partey is too slow to react as Pablo Fornals receives the ball inside the Arsenal half. He shifts it onto his right foot and hits a powerful shot towards the far top corner.
Aaron Ramsdale sees it late but leaps across and palms the ball wide with a strong right hand!
Arsenal 3-1 West Ham
21:54 , Michael Jones
90 mins: Gabriel Martinelli receives a very warm welcome as he heads off the pitch to be replaced by Fabio Vieira for the final few minutes.
There’s going to be four minutes of stoppage time added on.
Arsenal 3-1 West Ham
21:51 , Michael Jones
87 mins: Close! Saka swings the ball into the six-yard area where Saliba rises and turns the ball towards goal. Fabianski leaps towards him and deflects the ball with his fist resulting in another corner for Arsenal.
West Ham deal with this second effort more competently.
Arsenal 3-1 West Ham
21:48 , Michael Jones
84 mins: Zinchenko threads the ball up to Odegaard on the inside right who flicks the ball on for Saka. Saka brings it into the penalty area before looking to pull it back for Xhaka.
Dawson gets in the way though and turns the ball behind for a corner.
Arsenal 3-1 West Ham
21:46 , Michael Jones
81 mins: Chance! Ben White gets forward on the right wing bringing the ball to the byline before getting tackled by a back-tracking Said Benrahma.
Benrahma brings the ball to the edge of the box and attempts a step-over but has it nicked off him by Martin Odegaard who checks to the left and shoots but smokes his effort well wide of the far post.
Arsenal 3-1 West Ham
21:44 , Michael Jones
78 mins: Martin Odegaard has become the 11th player from Norway to reach double figures in both goals and assists in the Premier League. He’s now got 14 goals and 10 assists for Arsenal.
David Moyes makes a change and brings Pablo Fornals on to replace Tomas Soucek.
Arsenal 3-1 West Ham
21:40 , Michael Jones
75 mins: West Ham are growing increasingly frustrated. Ben White receives the ball and dribbles his way up the pitch holding off Said Benrahma who has two or three attempts to recover it.
Eventually the referee decides Benrahma is being too forceful and awards Arsenal a free kick.
Arsenal 3-1 West Ham
21:38 , Michael Jones
72 mins: Kieran Tierney’s decent night comes to an end as Oleksandr Zinchenko gets a run out of near 20 minutes. The left back is just returning from injury and will give Arsenal a boost when fully fit again.
As it stands the Gunners are moving seven points clear at the top of the table.
GOAL! Arsenal 3-1 West Ham (Nketiah, 69’)⚽️
21:32 , Michael Jones
69 mins: Lovely goal! A cross field pass comes over to Ben White who brings the ball under control and cuts inside of Said Benrahma.
White gives it to Martin Odegaard who sends the ball into the box for Eddie Nketiah. The forward spins off Thilo Kehrer’s shoulder before lacing a shot back across the box and earning Arsenal a two-goal lead!
Arsenal 2-1 West Ham
21:30 , Michael Jones
65 mins: West Ham have been passive in the second half which has allowed Arsenal the freedom to get those two goals. The Hammers need to step up a gear and take the attack to the Gunners.
Jarrod Bowen curls a corner ball into the penalty area but William Saliba gets highest and nods the ball clear.
Arsenal 2-1 West Ham
21:27 , Michael Jones
62 mins: Arsenal have got themselves in front but it’s doubtful that they’ll settle for just two goals. They’ll want at least one more to take all the pressure off and the Gunners are ramping up the pressure.
Martinelli swings a corner into the box but doesn’t beat the first defender.
GOAL! Arsenal 2-1 West Ham (Martinelli, 59’)⚽️
21:22 , Michael Jones
59 mins: Turnaround! Saka recovers the ball deep in West Ham’s half and passes it square to Odegaard who works it across to Xhaka.
Xhaka assesses his options before slipping the ball into the left side of the box for Martinelli who drills a low effort towards goal and beats Fabianski at the near post.
Arsenal take the lead.
Arsenal 1-1 West Ham
21:20 , Michael Jones
56 mins: That’s a terribly unlucky goal for West Ham to concede but it’s fantastic work from Saka to control the ball and and calmly guide it home after keeping himself onside.
The Arsenal fans now believe they can go on and win this game.
GOAL! Arsenal 1-1 West Ham (Saka, 53’)⚽️
21:17 , Michael Jones
53 mins: Maybe not. Arsenal have their equaliser.
Martin Odegaard gets the ball on the right side of the pitch and brings it inside before lining up a shot. He smokes it but pulls the effort wide of the target.
Luckily for him Bukayo Saka is waiting in the box and controls the wayward ball before slipping it past Lukasz Fabianski.
Arsenal 0-1 West Ham
21:17 , Michael Jones
51 mins: David Moyes is winless in 70 Premier League away matches as a manager against Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United (D21 L49).
Can he get a win tonight?
Arsenal 0-1 West Ham
21:12 , Michael Jones
48 mins: Chance! That’s nice from Arsenal. They work the ball beautifully down the right wing and give the ball to Saka. He carries it to the edge of the box before laying the ball off to Thomas Partey.
Partey shoots and looks to be curling one inside of the near post but Lukasz Fabianski leaps across and turns the ball wide of the goal.
Second half: Arsenal 0-1 West Ham
21:10 , Michael Jones
Arsenal get the match restarted and work the ball back to Aaron Ramsdale who belts it long. Bukayo Saka and Eddie Nketiah both challenge for the ball in the air but it skips through everyone and bounces out for a goal kick.
HT Arsenal 0-1 West Ham
21:07 , Michael Jones
Arsenal have won just one of their last 25 Premier League games when trailing at the break (with four draws and 20 defeats). That victory came against Wolves in February (2-1).
West Ham have lost just one of their last 24 top-flight games when leading at half-time (19 wins, four draws), against Brighton in May (3-1).
Arsene Wenger returns to Arsenal for first time since leaving club
21:03 , Michael Jones
Arsene Wenger has returned to Arsenal for the first time since leaving the club four years ago.
Wenger, who managed Arsenal between 1996 to 2018, was in the crowd for Arsenal’s Boxing Day match against West Ham.
The 73-year-old led Arsenal to three Premier League titles, including an unbeaten season, but had previously said he did not plan to watch his former club after departing.
But the Frenchman was at the Emirates Stadium after receiving an invitation from Arsenal’s board, as the Gunners returned to action following the World Cup.
Arsene Wenger returns to Arsenal for first time since leaving club
HT Arsenal 0-1 West Ham
20:59 , Michael Jones
Said Benrahma’s penalty is the difference between the teams at the halfway stage. Can West Ham go on to win this game now?
Half-time: Arsenal 0-1 West Ham
20:55 , Michael Jones
45+5 mins: The players head down the tunnel for the half-time break. Arsenal have had more possession and created more chances but it’s West Ham who lead at the halfway point.
Jarrod Bowen was brought down by William Saliba inside the box and Said Benrahma knocked home the penalty kick. Arsenal though they had a penalty of their own but VAR overturned the original decision.
All to play for in the second half.
No penalty!
20:53 , Michael Jones
Arsenal 0-1 West Ham
45+5 mins: West Ham have a reprieve! VAR checks the referee’s penalty decision and sees that Cresswell blocked Odegaard’s shot with his forehead.
His hands were high but it’s clear that the ball didn’t touch them.
Penalty to Arsenal!
20:52 , Michael Jones
Arsenal 0-1 West Ham
45+3 mins: Gabriel Martinelli cuts the ball inside from the left wing and picks out Martin Odegaard on the edge of the box. He shoots and drills the ball at Aaron Cresswell.
His hands are up next to his head and the referee thinks he’s stopped the shot with his arm and points to the spot.
Arsenal 0-1 West Ham
20:48 , Michael Jones
45 mins: Three minutes of added time to play before the end of the first half.
Arsenal win a free kick that is whipped into the box by Martin Odegaard. Eddie Nketiah leaps above Michail Antonio to flick the ball onto the back post but Declan Rice steps ahead of William Saliba and marshalls the ball out of play.
Arsenal 0-1 West Ham
20:46 , Michael Jones
42 mins: Odegaard fins Martinelli on the left wing who has a go at goal but it denied by the steadfast Craig Dawson. The loose ball comes out to Nketiah who attempts to weave into the penalty area but eventually gets tackled.
Arsenal 0-1 West Ham
20:42 , Michael Jones
39 mins: A quick free kick from West Ham inside their own box gets chipped up to Michail Antonio who spins away from William Saliba to collect the ball.
He drives it to the box then hooks a shot wide of the near post.
Arsenal 0-1 West Ham
20:40 , Michael Jones
36 mins: Chance! Bukayo Saka evades a tackle from Aaron Cresswell and sends the ball inside. Odegaard and Partey combine before giving the ball to Nketiah on the left side of the box.
The forward rolls the ball onto his right foot and shoots but Craig Dawson gets the block in and Fabianski pounces on the loose ball.
Arsenal 0-1 West Ham
20:36 , Michael Jones
33 mins: There’s a bit of bite to West Ham now that they’re in front. Bukayo Saka is a little slack in getting back to help out the defence which allows Aaron Cresswell to get forward on the overlap.
He’s given the ball by Said Benrahma before flicking one into the box. Aaron Ramsdale thinks he can get there but gets shoved by Michail Antonio and wins Arsenal a free kick.
Arsenal 0-1 West Ham
20:31 , Michael Jones
30 mins: That goal is just West Ham’s fourth away goal of the season and it’s a big one. They now have something to hold onto although it’s too early for the Hammers to go into their shell.
Arsenal are behind and will need to fight back if they want to get something out of this game.
GOAL! Arsenal 0-1 West Ham (Benrahma, 27’)⚽️
20:29 , Michael Jones
27 mins: Said Benrahma bangs his penalty straight down the middle and West Ham take the lead against the run of play!
That goal could have big ramifications on the table if Arsenal fail to respond.
Penalty to West Ham!
20:28 , Michael Jones
Arsenal 0-0 West Ham
24 mins: Craig Dawson flicks the ball down the right side of the pitch and gets the ball up to Michail Antonio. He spins away from William Saliba and slides the ball inside to Jarrod Bowen.
Bowen dribbles into the box and is clipped by the lunging Saliba which throws him off his stride. Bowen goes down and the referee points to the spot.
VAR is taking a look though.
Arsenal 0-0 West Ham
20:25 , Michael Jones
23 mins: Chance! Ramsdale throws the ball up to Granit Xhaka who shifts it up the pitch and sends Eddie Nketiah sprinting in behind.
The striker carries the ball to the edge of the box and shoots but Thilo Kehrer is back in time to leap in front of the effort and get the block in.
Arsenal 0-0 West Ham
20:24 , Michael Jones
20 mins: West Ham will be happy that the game is still level. Arsenal have piled on the pressure but have lacked a ruthless edge in front of goal.
Aaron Cresswell swings a corner into the box that gets cleared as far as Said Benrahma. He cuts to the right and fizzes and right-footed effort at goal that doesn’t cause too many problems for Aaron Ramsdale.
Arsenal 0-0 West Ham
20:22 , Michael Jones
17 mins: An Arsenal corner comes swinging into the box and Fabianski is quickly off his line to boot the punch the ball away.
Partey is first to it outside the box and nods it back into the middle but Antonio clears the danger before West Ham are awarded a free kick.
Arsenal 0-0 West Ham
20:19 , Michael Jones
14 mins: Arsenal don’t seem to have lost any of their edge due to the World Cup break. Martin Odegaard slips a dainty pass into the box for Granit Xhaka’s deep run but Xhaka’s first touch knocks the ball too close to Lukasz Fabianski who scoops up the ball.
Arsenal 0-0 West Ham
20:14 , Michael Jones
11 mins: Close! A lovely diagonal ball comes over to Michail Antonio who may not be fully fit just yet. He makes a run in between Ben White and William Saliba before cutting back onto his right foot.
The first touch is a little heavy and White manages to get across and boot the ball clear.
Arsenal 0-0 West Ham
20:11 , Michael Jones
8 mins: Arsenal are starting to take control of proceedings. They win a free kick deep in the West Ham final third but Gabriel Martinelli’s delivery is heading out by Michail Antonio.
It doesn’t get far though and Thomas Partey collects the loose ball to keep the pressure on West Ham.
Arsenal 0-0 West Ham
20:10 , Michael Jones
5 mins: Disallowed goal! Bukayo Saka meets a backheel from Eddie Nketiah inside the box and blasts one into the back of the net but the offside flag is up immediately and the goal gets chalked off.
Warning sign for West Ham.
Arsenal 0-0 West Ham
20:05 , Michael Jones
3 mins: Arsenal have seen more of the ball during these opening minutes with West Ham confident enough to show some physicality and desire to win it back in the middle of the pitch.
Kick off: Arsenal 0-0 West Ham
20:03 , Michael Jones
West Ham get the match underway and boot the ball over to the right wing but Arsenal win the aerial ball and take control.
Martin Odegaard receives a pass in midfield then spins towards goal and floats one over to Gabriel Martinelli who fails to keep it in play.
Arsenal vs West Ham
19:58 , Michael Jones
The players head out onto the pitch at the Emirates Stadium. Newcastle’s victory over Leicester earlier in the day means that the Gunners only have a four point lead going in to tonight’s match.
They can push that up to seven with a win though.
Arsenal vs West Ham
19:54 , Michael Jones
Eddie Nketiah has 10 goals in his last 10 starts at home in all competitions. He starts for the Gunners tonight in the absence of the injured Gabriel Jesus who is recovering from a knee injury.
Moyes vs Arsenal
19:51 , Michael Jones
David Moyes has lost 17 away games in all competitions against Arsenal, more than against any other opponent.
Defeat would leave West Ham with 10 defeats from their first 16 Premier League games for the first time since the 2006/07 campaign.
Their solitary victory in eight previous Boxing Day matches was 4-1 at Swansea City in 2016.
Arsenal vs West Ham
19:48 , Michael Jones
Arsenal are the only side to have scored in every Premier League match this season, while they also have the joint-best defensive record.
That turnaround stems from the coaching of boss Mikel Arteta who, today, marks three years to the day since his first game as manager of Arsenal; a 1-1 Premier League draw at Bournemouth.
Arsenal vs West Ham
19:45 , Michael Jones
West Ham are in danger of losing four consecutive Premier League games in a season for the first time since the start of the 2018/19 campaign.
The 11 away league defeats in 2022 is their most in a calendar year since losing 12 in 2013. The Hammers have just one win and three goals from their seven away league fixtures this season.
Can Arsenal win the league this year?
19:42 , Michael Jones
Arsenal could equal a club record by winning their first seven Premier League home games in a season. They are on a run of nine straight home league victories dating back to last season.
The Gunners have won 10 Boxing Day home fixtures in a row and are unbeaten in 13 since losing to Nottingham Forest in 1987 and they are top of the table at Christmas for the first time since 2007.
However, they failed to win the title on each of the last five occasions that happened.
Arsenal vs West Ham
19:39 , Michael Jones
Arsenal have lost just two of their past 28 Premier League games against West Ham with 21 wins and five draws during that run.
The Hammers have lost 11 of their last 12 league away matches against the Gunners wit the exception being a 2-0 victory on the opening weekend of the 2015/16 season.
This match will also be a third meeting between the two sides on Boxing Day. Arsenal have won the previous two: 1-0 at home in 1998 and 3-1 away in 2013.
Arsenal vs West Ham
19:36 , Michael Jones
Reaction to come from Villa Park but the focus now switches to the last game of the day as Arsenal take on West Ham.
Mikel Arteta’s side could end Boxing Day with an eight point lead over the Premier League champions, Manchester City, if they defeat West Ham tonight.
Here’s a reminder of the teams:
Arsenal: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Nketiah
West Ham: Fabianski; Coufal, Kehrer, Dawson, Cresswell; Soucek, Rice; Benrahma, Paqueta, Bowen; Antonio
FT Aston Villa 1-3 Liverpool
19:34 , Michael Jones
That victory means there are no changes in league position for either team. Liverpool remain sixth but are a couple of points better off than the start of the day whilst Aston Villa are 12th and still five points clear of the relegation zone.
FT Aston Villa 1-3 Liverpool
19:32 , Michael Jones
Stefan Bajcetic settled Liverpool’s nerves by adding a third goal 10 minutes from the end of the 90 to keep the Reds on track for a spot in the top four.
Full-time: Aston Villa 1-3 Liverpool
19:28 , Michael Jones
90+4 mins: Liverpool close out the victory and remain inside the top six. They’ve closed the gap on fifth placed Manchester United to just one point.
The Reds are 12 points behind leaders Arsenal but face the Gunners next time out.
Aston Villa 1-3 Liverpool
19:26 , Michael Jones
90+3 mins: John McGinn’s cross into the box takes a deflection and drops in between Ollie Watkins and Virgil van Dijk. The Liverpool defender is the first to react and boots the ball clear which should ensure Liverpool take all the points from this game.
Aston Villa 1-3 Liverpool
19:24 , Michael Jones
90 mins: There’s going to be four minutes of added time to play. The sting has finally gone out of Aston Villa’s play, that third goal took all the momentum away from the home side.
Aston Villa 1-3 Liverpool
19:21 , Michael Jones
87 mins: Liverpool’s bench isn’t the most experienced but the youngsters being introduced will gain massive value in playing the final minutes of games like this.
Ben Doak comes on to replace Darwin Nunez.
Aston Villa 1-3 Liverpool
19:16 , Michael Jones
84 mins: Liverpool are heading for three consecutive victories for the first time this season. They needed to win tonight to ease the pressure of reaching the top four and despite some key injuries in the box they’ve got the job done as it stands.
Six minutes plus added time to play.
GOAL! Aston Villa 1-3 Liverpool (Bajcetic, 81’)⚽️
19:15 , Michael Jones
81 mins: Game over! The ball comes over the top once more for Darwin Nunez who dinks it into the box and follows the ball to the byline before pulling it back into the middle of the box.
The substitute Stefan Bajcetic collects the ball, takes it around Robin Olsen and guides his shot into the back of the net.
Aston Villa 1-2 Liverpool
19:13 , Michael Jones
80 mins: In the final 10 minutes now and there are another couple of changes from Jurgen Klopp. Stefan Bajcetic and Joe Gomez come on to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jordan Henderson.
Aston Villa 1-2 Liverpool
19:11 , Michael Jones
78 mins: Ouch! Aston Villa come down the left wing before whipping a cross into the far side of the box where Leon Bailey flings himself towards the ball.
He misses it and Andy Robertson gets it clear but lands on the Villa forward who stays down and needs some medical treatment.
Aston Villa 1-2 Liverpool
19:09 , Michael Jones
75 mins: Close! Joel Matip wins the ball on the edge of his own box then pokes it up to Mo Salah. Salah looks up and flicks a brilliant ball over to Darwin Nunez who bombs past Ezri Konsa and drives up to the box.
Nunez tries to complete the ball with a shot across goal but laces his effort wide of the far post!
Aston Villa 1-2 Liverpool
19:06 , Michael Jones
72 mins: Alisson comes off his line to punch a cross into the box as far away as possible. Ollie Watkins holds his ground but sticks out an arm to make things uncomfortable for the goalkeeper and the referee judges that to be a foul.
Free kick to Liverpool.
Arsenal vs West Ham confirmed line-ups
19:04 , Michael Jones
Arsenal: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Nketiah
Introducing our starting XI…
🇫🇷 William Saliba starts
🏴 @Kierantierney1 at left back
🏴 @EddieNketiah9 in attack
COME ON YOU GUNNERS! ✊ pic.twitter.com/KpytsFQ9wF— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 26, 2022
West Ham: Fabianski; Coufal, Kehrer, Dawson, Cresswell; Soucek, Rice; Benrahma, Paqueta, Bowen; Antonio
Your Irons ⚒️#ARSWHU pic.twitter.com/OZd7Yoxr8J
— West Ham United (@WestHam) December 26, 2022
Aston Villa 1-2 Liverpool
19:03 , Michael Jones
68 mins: Liverpool need to take the sting out of Aston Villa’s play. They’ll preferably want to restore their two-goal advantage but will settle for a period of possession.
Ashley Young attempts to chest a cross back to Robin Olsen but gets his direction wrong and ends up putting the ball out of play.
Aston Villa 1-2 Liverpool
18:59 , Michael Jones
65 mins: Jurgen Klopp has seen enough and makes a couple of changes for Liverpool in the hopes of wrestling control back in midfield.
Thiago Alcantara and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain go off with Naby Keita and Harvey Elliott brought on.
Aston Villa 1-2 Liverpool
18:58 , Michael Jones
62 mins: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lucas Digne both took knocks on the edge of the Aston Villa box but the hosts come away with the ball.
The power up the pitch full of confidence know and pick out John McGinn in the middle of the box. He controls the ball and decides not to shoot when the chance arrives allowing Van Dijk to close him down and clear the danger.
GOAL! Aston Villa 1-2 Liverpool (Watkins, 59’)⚽️
18:51 , Michael Jones
59 mins: Game on! The hosts have been the better team since the restart and now they’ve earned their rewards. After finding a bit of success on the left side of the pitch they change tactic and give the ball to Douglas Luiz.
He brings the ball through the inside right channel and lifts a cross over to the far post. Ollie Watkins keeps himself onside leaps above everyone else and nods the ball into the far corner!
Aston Villa 0-2 Liverpool
18:51 , Michael Jones
57 mins: Liverpool are living dangerously. Aston Villa work the ball expertly into the box from the left and cut the ball back to Leon Bailey.
He eyes up another first time shot but miscues his effort once more and bobbles the shot wide of the target.
Aston Villa 0-2 Liverpool
18:48 , Michael Jones
54 mins: Save! Lucas Digne brings the ball up the pitch and cuts in from the left wing before hooking a shot at goal and forcing Alisson into a diving stop to his left.
The Liverpool goalkeeper gets two hands to the ball and clings onto the effort.
Aston Villa 0-2 Liverpool
18:45 , Michael Jones
51 mins: Off the woodwork! Liverpool clear an Aston Villa free kick and dink the ball over to Mo Salah who sweeps up the pitch. Salah drives into the left side of the box and tries to pick out the far bottom corner but is denied by Robin Olsen’s outstretched leg.
The ball bounces into Douglas Luiz who can do nothing to control the ball but the midfielder gets lucky when hid deflection hits the near post and bounces out of play.
Aston Villa 0-2 Liverpool
18:42 , Michael Jones
48 mins: Watkins was only just offside after Trent Alexander-Arnold stepped up to push Liverpool’s defensive line high. It would have take Villa just 25 seconds to score had that one counted.
Chance! The home side are giving it a go. Lucas Digne is played out to the left wing and keeps the ball alive at the byline before cutting one inside to Emiliano Buendia.
Buendia shoots but drills his effort into the side netting.
Second half: Aston Villa 0-2 Liverpool
18:40 , Michael Jones
Liverpool get the game back underway and work it down the left wing.
Disallowed goal! Drama immediately after the restart as Villa nick the ball back and slide a through ball up to Ollie Watkins. He carries it into the box and guides his effort past Alisson’s outstretched arm nestling the ball into the bottom corner only for the offside flag to get raised.
HT Aston Villa 0-2 Liverpool
18:33 , Michael Jones
Still to come tonight: Arsenal host West Ham in the final Premier League game of Boxing Day this season. The Gunners are looking to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League.
The team news will be out in about half an hour or so before kick off for that one at 8pm.
HT Aston Villa 0-2 Liverpool
18:31 , Michael Jones
Liverpool have a comfortable lead at Villa Park thanks to Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk.
Jurgen Klopp happy Liverpool are within ‘punching distance’ of Premier League top four
18:27 , Michael Jones
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists he is happy to be within “punching distance” of the top four as he looks to mount a bid for Champions League football in the second half of the season.
Inconsistent results meant the Reds headed into the World Cup break in sixth place, seven points behind fourth-placed Tottenham – albeit with a match in hand – and a huge 15 adrift of leaders Arsenal.
But a run of eight wins in 10 fixtures prior to the cessation of the Premier League suggested they had ironed out those rogue results and – although their return to action saw the defence of their Carabao Cup end at the hands of Manchester City – Klopp has his eyes on a renewed battle.
Jurgen Klopp happy Liverpool are within ‘punching distance’ of top four
Half-time: Aston Villa 0-2 Liverpool
18:21 , Michael Jones
45+3 mins: There goes the whistle to bring the first half to a close. Liverpool have a two-goal cushion against an Aston Villa side giving it a decent go.
If the home side can score first after the break then it’s very much game on.
Aston Villa 0-2 Liverpool
18:17 , Michael Jones
45 mins: Three minutes of added time to play before the half-time break.
Aston Villa 0-2 Liverpool
18:17 , Michael Jones
43 mins: Lucas Digne gets clipped on the ankle by Joel Matip and winces in pain before limping away. That challenge caught him right on the back of his foot and hurt but the Villa defender is okay to play on.
Aston Villa 0-2 Liverpool
18:14 , Michael Jones
40 mins: That second goal could be a killer for Aston Villa. The hosts have had their moments but haven’t been able to take any of them and Liverpool look hungry in the final third.
Villa just need to get to half-time without conceding another goal.
GOAL! Aston Villa 0-2 Liverpool (Van Dijk, 37’)⚽️
18:10 , Michael Jones
37 mins: Two for Liverpool! Trent Alexander-Arnold whips the ball into the penalty area this time and it pinballs around before breaking to Mo Salah at the back post.
He’s got his back to goal so lays the ball off to Virgil van Dijk who volleys a shot at goal. The ball takes a deflection off Ezri Konsa which wrongfoots Robin Olsen allowing it to sneak into the far bottom corner.
Aston Villa 0-1 Liverpool
18:10 , Michael Jones
35 mins: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain brings the ball down the left wing for Liverpool and flicks a pass round the corner to get Nunez into the box. He cuts inside before searching for Salah at the far post.
The ball skips through the six-yard area but Mings beats Salah to the ball and pokes it behind.
Aston Villa 0-1 Liverpool
18:07 , Michael Jones
32 mins: Aston Villa are looking bright but they’re vulnerable on the counter-attack whilst playing with this high line. Jordan Henderson slips one down the line just as Ezri Konsa steps up to get ahead of Darwin Nunez.
Nunez carries the ball into the right side of the box and curls a cross over to Andy Robertson but Tyrone Mings turns the ball behind before the offside flag gets raised.
Aston Villa 0-1 Liverpool
18:03 , Michael Jones
29 mins: Chance! Liverpool’s clearance sees them boot the ball up the pitch and get Darwin Nunez in behind Ezri Konsa. Nunez watches the ball come over his own head and meets it on the volley.
The striker goes for goal but his effort is too soft and Robin Olsen gets safely in behind the ball.
Aston Villa 0-1 Liverpool
18:01 , Michael Jones
26 mins: Douglas Luiz makes a driving run down the inside right and seemingly gets clipped by a Thiago Alcantara tackle. The referee lets play go on and Liverpool get caught trying to play out from the back.
Lucas Digne goes down inside the box after a tackle from Trent Alexander-Arnold but the Reds manage to clear their lines after the penalty shout is waved away.
Aston Villa 0-1 Liverpool
17:58 , Michael Jones
23 mins: Darwin Nunez gets his first proper chance at goal but it’s a tricky one. He drifts into space in the middle of the box and meets a cross from the left with a looping header that goes wide.
Aston Villa 0-1 Liverpool
17:53 , Michael Jones
20 mins: Disallowed goal! Liverpool win a free kick over on the left wing. Trent Alexander-Arnold performs the dummy run before Andy Robertson swings one into the box.
Joel Matip just starts his run too soon and strays offside before meeting the cross and nodding the ball into the far corner. The assistant referee wastes no time in raising the flag.
Aston Villa 0-1 Liverpool
17:51 , Michael Jones
17 mins: Chance! When will Villa take their chance? John McGinn receives the ball in space over on the right side of pitch and whips over a beautiful cross.
Ollie Watkins gets in behind the Liverpool centre-halfs once again and powers a diving header into the deck where the ball bounces up nicely for Alisson to cling onto the ball.
Aston Villa 0-1 Liverpool
17:47 , Michael Jones
14 mins: Chance! It should be 1-1! The ball comes up to Watkins who works it over to the left wing where Buendia chases the ball down and keeps it in play.
He curls a cross into the box but sends it behind Watkins who’s continued his run. Buendia picks out Leon Bailey though who completely fumbles a first time shot and skews the ball wide.
Aston Villa 0-1 Liverpool
17:45 , Michael Jones
11 mins: Mo Salah now has five goals in his five most recent appearances against Aston Villa. Will Liverpool’s talisman add to his tally before the game is done?
The Reds are controlling the tempo of the match. Passing it slowly in midfield before sprinting forward quickly from the wings.
Aston Villa 0-1 Liverpool
17:41 , Michael Jones
8 mins: Save! Ollie Watkins makes another fine run through the lines as John McGinn dinks a chipped pass over the top. Watkins controls the ball and forces a sharp save out of Alisson before the offside flag goes up.
This has been a perfect start for Liverpool despite a couple of good chances for the hosts.
GOAL! Aston Villa 0-1 Liverpool (Salah, 5’)⚽️
17:37 , Michael Jones
5 mins: Liverpool lead! Andy Robertson’s corner kick is cleared out of the penalty area but drops to Trent Alexander-Arnold who floats the ball back into the right side of the box where Robertson has gotten himself back onside.
The Liverpool left-back brings the ball under control then squares it over to Mo Salah who turns it home for an easy tap-in.
Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool
17:37 , Michael Jones
4 mins: At the other end of the pitch Andy Robertson brings the ball down the wing before curling a pass into the penalty area. Darwin Nunez arrives but lets the ball run through towards Mo Salah.
Lucas Digne beats him to the ball and sends it behind for a corner shortly after Tyrone Mings and Robin Olsen collide with each other.
The centre-back lands awkwardly on his knee and needs some treatment.
Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool
17:34 , Michael Jones
3 mins: Chance! Liverpool lose the ball over on their left wing and it gets squirted over to Emiliano Buendia in the middle of the Reds’ final third.
Buendia flicks the ball over the top as Ollie Watkins forces his way in between Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip. The Villa forward shoots and forces a low stop out of Alisson Becker.
Kick off: Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool
17:32 , Michael Jones
Before kick off there is a round of applause for 1966 World Cup winner George Cowen who passed away earlier this month. The players all take the knee then Aston Vill get the match started at Villa Park.
Robertson to overtake Baines?
17:27 , Michael Jones
Andy Robertson is level with Leighton Baines as the defender with the most assists in Premier League history. They both have 53 but Robertson could go ahead of the former Everton man this evening.
A hotstreak for Salah
17:24 , Michael Jones
Mohamed Salah has scored in each of his last four starts against Aston Villa in all competitions. Is five from five on the cards today?
Emery vs Klopp
17:21 , Michael Jones
Unai Emery’s only triumph in seven fixtures as a manager against Jurgen Klopp in all competitions was Sevilla’s 3-1 victory versus Liverpool in the 2016 Europa League final.
Can the Aston Villa boss finally get the better of his counterpart once again?
Will Klopp match Poch’s record?
17:18 , Michael Jones
Liverpool are looking to win three top-flight fixtures in a row for the first time this season. If they do so Jurgen Klopp would match Mauricio Pochettino’s Premier League record of five wins from as many Boxing Day fixtures as a manager.
What do we want to see from the Premier League restart?
17:15 , Michael Jones
A strange new sequence in the Premier League season will begin on Boxing Day, as the top flight returns after a month-long pause.
Domestic action was put on hold due to the Qatar World Cup, and there is no rest for the stars of that tournament, as the Premier League restarts on Monday 26 December – just a few days after we saw Carabao Cup action play out.
Arsenal have a five-point lead atop the table, with defending champions Manchester City gunning for the Gunners, while Newcastle are flying high in third.
Elsewhere, West Ham and Everton are struggling stalwarts of the division. But what next? Below, we look at what we want to happen, more so than what we think will happen...
What do we want to see from the Premier League restart?
Will Liverpool emulate Manchester United?
17:10 , Michael Jones
Liverpool have won five consecutive Boxing Day games by an aggregate score of 15-0 since a 2-1 defeat at Manchester City in 2013.
They can equal the top-flight record for most successive Boxing Day clean sheets: six by Manchester United from 1996 to 2001.
Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website
