Two late strikes from substitute Jhon Duran helped Aston Villa earn a crucial point from two goals down against Liverpool on Monday night.

The Villans looked out of the contest at 3-1 down as Emiliano Martinez's own goal and efforts from Cody Gakpo and Jarell Quansah put the Reds in control.

How the game unfolded

Villa began Tuesday night knowing victory in either of their last two league games of the season will secure Champions League football, but instead they fell behind inside two minutes thanks to a major clanger from goalkeeper Martinez.

Harvey Elliott's driving run and one-two with Mohamed Salah ended with the English midfielder's cross deflecting off Ezri Konsa. The change in direction was enough to put the World Cup winner off balance and he ended up fumbling the ball into the back of his own net.

The sluggish start from the hosts continued when Salah glided past a lazy Lucas Digne and saw his curling effort stray just wide after a nick off Pau Torres.

Some goalmouth action which saw Gakpo hit the post meant little as the offside flag went up but Villa Park soon erupted as the hosts equalised.

Two late strikes from substitute Jhon Duran helped Aston Villa earn a crucial point from two goals down against Liverpool on Monday night.

The Villans looked out of the contest at 3-1 down as Emiliano Martinez's own goal and efforts from Cody Gakpo and Jarell Quansah put the Reds in control.

However, Duran arrived off the bench to conjure up a brace and boost Villa's Champions League qualification hopes. They now sit five points ahead of Tottenham Hotspur in fifth.

How the game unfolded

Villa began Tuesday night knowing victory in either of their last two league games of the season will secure Champions League football, but instead they fell behind inside two minutes thanks to a major clanger from goalkeeper Martinez.

Harvey Elliott's driving run and one-two with Mohamed Salah ended with the English midfielder's cross deflecting off Ezri Konsa. The change in direction was enough to put the World Cup winner off balance and he ended up fumbling the ball into the back of his own net.

The sluggish start from the hosts continued when Salah glided past a lazy Lucas Digne and saw his curling effort stray just wide after a nick off Pau Torres.

Some goalmouth action which saw Gakpo hit the post meant little as the offside flag went up but Villa Park soon erupted as the hosts equalised.

An awesome run from Ollie Watkins saw the England striker get to the byline and pull back for Youri Tielemans, whose piercing strike whistled beyond Alisson's reach to make it 1-1.

That goal certainly lifted Villa's spirits but they were soon left deflated when the visiting Reds exposed more leaky defending. Luis Diaz slipped in Joe Gomez and his shot was palmed straight to Gakpo, who tapped in from close range. A lengthy VAR check ensued checking an offside but no infringement was found.

Unai Emery's side attempted to barge their way back onto level terms and came agonisingly close when Leon Bailey crossed towards Diego Carlos and Watkins. The defender made contact ahead of the striker but could somehow only nudge his effort wide.