Aston Villa fell to last-gasp 2-1 defeat against Liverpool courtesy of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s injury-time strike at Anfield.
Ollie Watkins’ 14th goal of the season had put Villa in front in the 43rd minute, firing home from 10 yards to continue an impressive maiden season in the top flight which also saw the frontman score on his England debut last month.
Yet Liverpool, who had Roberto Firmino’s effort ruled out for offside by VAR in first-half injury time, levelled courtesy of Mohamed Salah’s header just before the hour mark.
Trezeguet, who limped off late on, sent a superb strike against the inside of a post as an enthralling encounter went from end to end.
But it was left for Alexander-Arnold to have the final say in the 91st minute when he drilled home from the edge of the penalty area to inflict a cruel defeat after Emi Martinez had pulled off a superb save to deny substitute Thiago.
Villa, who secured a memorable 7-2 triumph over the Reds in October’s reverse fixture, will be looking to get back on track at home against Manchester City later this month.
Ahead of the 32nd anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster, Villa Chief Executive Christian Purslow laid a wreath in remembrance at Anfield before the encounter.
Ahead of kick-off, there was a two-minute silence in honour of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, following his passing on Friday, while all players also wore black armbands in tribute.
Head Coach Dean Smith recalled Trezeguet and Marvelous Nakamaba to Villa’s starting line-up, with the former having stepped off the bench to bag a crucial brace in last weekend’s 3-1 victory over Fulham.
Martinez was called into action after just five minutes to save well from Salah, before the Egypt international poked narrowly wide having found himself one-on-one after 13 minutes.
Unmarked Ezri Konsa headed Matt Targett’s free-kick straight at Alisson after 22 minutes while, at the other end, Alexander-Arnold saw his set-piece tipped over the crossbar by Martinez and Diogo Jota headed over from the resulting corner.
Matty Cash and Trezeguet both tested Alisson from distance while the hosts continued to threaten themselves.
But it was Villa who opened the scoring just before half-time as Douglas Luiz found John McGinn, who played the ball into Watkins and he took a touch before firing left-footed straight under Alisson from just inside the penalty area.
But that was not the end of the first-half drama as Firmino saw an injury-time goal ruled out via VAR for a marginal offside decision against Jota in the build-up.
But Liverpool were level in the 57th minute as Salah headed home at the far post after Martinez had parried Andy Robertson’s fierce angled drive.
Trezeguet came within inches of putting Villa back in front when his superb effort with the outside of his right foot spun back off the inside of the far post and across goal.
Smith turned to Ross Barkley and Anwar El Ghazi off the bench as the encounter continued to flow from end to end.
Jacob Ramsey replaced the injured Trezeguet in the 82nd minute, with both sides creating opportunities to take all three points.
However it was the home side who were left celebrating on Merseyside as Martinez reacted quickly to parry from Thiago but Alexander-Arnold drilled home from the edge of the area to inflict defeat on Villa.
Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett, Luiz, Nakamba (Barkley 66), Traore (El Ghazi 68), McGinn, Trezeguet (J Ramsey 82), Watkins.
Subs: Heaton, Taylor, Engels, Hause, Elmohamady, Davis.
