With the Premier League approaching its final week of the season, a&nbsp;lot is at stake for the teams fighting for European position&nbsp;including&nbsp;Aston Villa’s push for Champions League football for the first time in 40 years. Their latest test on Monday (May 13) saw Villa face Liverpool in an entertaining 3-3 draw, a game in which their World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emi Martinez scripted unwanted history.&nbsp;While he was bailed out by Jhon Duran’s late goals, he could not avoid the embarrassment at Villa Park in his side’s final home game of the season.&nbsp;

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Emi Martinez!!! Once a Gooner, always a Gooner! 😭 <a href="https://t.co/2ooHSEZnc9">pic.twitter.com/2ooHSEZnc9</a>
— KingKai 👑 (@rnartineIli) <a href="https://twitter.com/rnartineIli/status/1790096221702373773?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 13, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<h2>Martinez scripts unwanted&nbsp;history</h2>

In the opening two minutes of the match on Monday, Harvey Elliot’s deflected shot came in his way, but he&nbsp;was unable to&nbsp;hold on to the ball. Despite the best efforts to save the goal, he&nbsp;was unable to&nbsp;avoid the embarrassment and parried the ball over the goalline for Liverpool’s opener. The embarrassing moment saw him register his third own goal in his Premier League career, becoming the highest-scoring person between the sticks.&nbsp;

Previously, he&nbsp;was level for most own goals scored by goalkeepers alongside&nbsp;Mark Bunn, Petr Cech, Shay Given, Rob Green, Kasper Schmeichel, Russell Hoult, Tom Heaton, Tim Krul, Bernd Leno, Jussi Jaaskelainen and Richard Wright.&nbsp;Martinez now has three own goals&nbsp;which&nbsp;makes&nbsp;him stand atop the unwanted list of the record.&nbsp;

His first own goal came against his former side Aston Villa in February&nbsp;2023&nbsp;while earlier in the&nbsp;season&nbsp;he scored an own goal against Luton Town in a frantic win.&nbsp;

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<h2>Villa keep Champions League hopes&nbsp;alive&nbsp;</h2>

Needing three points to secure Champions League qualification for next season, Villa trailed for&nbsp;the majority&nbsp;of the match before Jhon Duran came with a late brace. His goals in the 85th and 88th minutes saw Villa draw against Liverpool&nbsp;which&nbsp;now means a draw for fifth-placed Spurs against Manchester City on Tuesday will secure Villa’s Champions League qualification for the first time since the 1981-82 season when they won the European Cup. &nbsp;

Villa could still miss out on Champions League qualification if they lose their final game away against Crystal Palace and Spurs win against Manchester City and Sheffield United in their remaining two matches of the season.&nbsp;

With the Premier League approaching its final week of the season, a lot is at stake for the teams fighting for European position including Aston Villa’s push for Champions League football for the first time in 40 years.

With the Premier League approaching its final week of the season, a lot is at stake for the teams fighting for European position including Aston Villa’s push for Champions League football for the first time in 40 years. Their latest test on Monday (May 13) saw Villa face Liverpool in an entertaining 3-3 draw, a game in which their World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emi Martinez scripted unwanted history. While he was bailed out by Jhon Duran’s late goals, he could not avoid the embarrassment at Villa Park in his side’s final home game of the season. Emi Martinez!!! Once a Gooner, always a Gooner! 😭 pic.twitter.com/2ooHSEZnc9 — KingKai 👑 (@rnartineIli) May 13, 2024 × Martinez scripts unwanted history In the opening two minutes of the match on Monday, Harvey Elliot’s deflected shot came in his way, but he was unable to hold on to the ball. Despite the best efforts to save the goal, he was unable to avoid the embarrassment and parried the ball over the goalline for Liverpool’s opener. The embarrassing moment saw him register his third own goal in his Premier League career, becoming the highest-scoring person between the sticks. Previously, he was level for most own goals scored by goalkeepers alongside Mark Bunn, Petr Cech, Shay Given, Rob Green, Kasper Schmeichel, Russell Hoult, Tom Heaton, Tim Krul, Bernd Leno, Jussi Jaaskelainen and Richard Wright. Martinez now has three own goals which makes him stand atop the unwanted list of the record. His first own goal came against his former side Aston Villa in February 2023 while earlier in the season he scored an own goal against Luton Town in a frantic win. ALSO READ | Premier League: Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola urges players to seize chance to win historic fourth title Villa keep Champions League hopes alive Needing three points to secure Champions League qualification for next season, Villa trailed for the majority of the match before Jhon Duran came with a late brace. His goals in the 85th and 88th minutes saw Villa draw against Liverpool which now means a draw for fifth-placed Spurs against Manchester City on Tuesday will secure Villa’s Champions League qualification for the first time since the 1981-82 season when they won the European Cup. Villa could still miss out on Champions League qualification if they lose their final game away against Crystal Palace and Spurs win against Manchester City and Sheffield United in their remaining two matches of the season.

Premier League: Aston Villa's Emi Martinez scripts history in Liverpool draw with THIS unwanted record

Liverpool&nbsp;ensured there was no happy return to Anfield for Steven Gerrard as Mohamed Salah's second-half penalty earned a 1-0 win over Aston Villa.

Gerrard said he would gladly sacrifice some of his legendary status among the&nbsp;Liverpool&nbsp;support for a result on his first trip to Anfield as part of the visiting team.

However, Villa barely laid a glove on the Jurgen Klopp's men, who should have been far more convincing winners as they moved back to within a point of Premier League leaders Manchester City.

Gerrard was welcomed with gentle applause as he emerged from the tunnel, but there was no great fanfare for the man who scored 186 goals in 710 games as a&nbsp;Liverpool&nbsp;player.

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Even a brief chant of his name from the Kop was drowned out by cries of "Liverpool" as the crowd focused their attention on maintaining pace with City at the top of the table.

The Reds should have been well in front by half-time after dominating a frustrating 45 minutes.

Salah has now scored 21 goals in 22 games this season, but showed remarkable restraint to resist a shot at goal from Andy Robertson's cut-back to allow Trent Alexander-Arnold to blast an effort that was headed for the top corner until it deflected off Matt Targett and behind for a corner.

Robertson was the major threat for Klopp's men as he exploited the space he was afforded down the left.

The Scotland captain's deflected header nearly wrong-footed Emiliano Martinez before he had two strong appeals for penalties waved away for challenges by Marvelous Nakamba, who had already been booked.

Klopp grew increasingly agitated at the officiating of referee Stuart Attwell as&nbsp;Liverpool&nbsp;failed to make their dominance show on the scoreboard.&nbsp;

Villa had won three of Gerrard's first four games in charge, but could not keep the ball for long enough to amount any sort of attacking threat themselves.

A slip by Alisson Becker created the visitors' best chance of the first half, but Ashley Young failed to turn the ball goalwards beyond the imposing figure of Joel Matip.

Martinez got down sharply to his left to deny Salah just before the break with the first of a string of fine saves by the Argentine number one.

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Virgil van Dijk was next to be denied by the former Arsenal 'keeper as&nbsp;Liverpool&nbsp;camped Villa inside their own half for the first 20 minutes of the second half.

Salah bent another effort narrowly over moments later, but he finally made the difference for the only goal of the game on 67 minutes.

Tyrone Mings was roped into a clumsy challenge on Salah and at the third time of asking,&nbsp;Liverpool&nbsp;got their spot-kick.

Martinez has earned a reputation as a penalty specialist, but Salah's strike was too precise for the Villa stopper despite guessing the right way.

Going behind suddenly sparked Villa into life as Gerrard introduced Danny Ings and Emiliano Buendia to offer more of an attacking threat.

And they too had a big appeal for a penalty turned down late on when Alisson's attempted clearance rebounded off Matip towards his own goal and the Brazilian goalkeeper escaped unpunished from a collision with Ings.

Liverpool ensured there was no happy return to Anfield for Steven Gerrard as Mohamed Salah's second-half penalty earned a 1-0 win over Aston Villa. Gerrard said he would gladly sacrifice some of his legendary status among the Liverpool support for a result on his first trip to Anfield as part of the visiting team.

Liverpool ensured there was no happy return to Anfield for Steven Gerrard as Mohamed Salah's second-half penalty earned a 1-0 win over Aston Villa. Gerrard said he would gladly sacrifice some of his legendary status among the Liverpool support for a result on his first trip to Anfield as part of the visiting team. However, Villa barely laid a glove on the Jurgen Klopp's men, who should have been far more convincing winners as they moved back to within a point of Premier League leaders Manchester City. Gerrard was welcomed with gentle applause as he emerged from the tunnel, but there was no great fanfare for the man who scored 186 goals in 710 games as a Liverpool player. ALSO READ: Premier League: Raheem Sterling scores 100th Premier League goal as Manchester City beat Wolves Even a brief chant of his name from the Kop was drowned out by cries of "Liverpool" as the crowd focused their attention on maintaining pace with City at the top of the table. The Reds should have been well in front by half-time after dominating a frustrating 45 minutes. Salah has now scored 21 goals in 22 games this season, but showed remarkable restraint to resist a shot at goal from Andy Robertson's cut-back to allow Trent Alexander-Arnold to blast an effort that was headed for the top corner until it deflected off Matt Targett and behind for a corner. Robertson was the major threat for Klopp's men as he exploited the space he was afforded down the left. The Scotland captain's deflected header nearly wrong-footed Emiliano Martinez before he had two strong appeals for penalties waved away for challenges by Marvelous Nakamba, who had already been booked. Klopp grew increasingly agitated at the officiating of referee Stuart Attwell as Liverpool failed to make their dominance show on the scoreboard. Villa had won three of Gerrard's first four games in charge, but could not keep the ball for long enough to amount any sort of attacking threat themselves. A slip by Alisson Becker created the visitors' best chance of the first half, but Ashley Young failed to turn the ball goalwards beyond the imposing figure of Joel Matip. Martinez got down sharply to his left to deny Salah just before the break with the first of a string of fine saves by the Argentine number one. ALSO READ: Anthony Martial wants to leave Manchester United in January transfer window, says agent Virgil van Dijk was next to be denied by the former Arsenal 'keeper as Liverpool camped Villa inside their own half for the first 20 minutes of the second half. Salah bent another effort narrowly over moments later, but he finally made the difference for the only goal of the game on 67 minutes. Tyrone Mings was roped into a clumsy challenge on Salah and at the third time of asking, Liverpool got their spot-kick. Martinez has earned a reputation as a penalty specialist, but Salah's strike was too precise for the Villa stopper despite guessing the right way. Going behind suddenly sparked Villa into life as Gerrard introduced Danny Ings and Emiliano Buendia to offer more of an attacking threat. And they too had a big appeal for a penalty turned down late on when Alisson's attempted clearance rebounded off Matip towards his own goal and the Brazilian goalkeeper escaped unpunished from a collision with Ings.

Premier League: Mohamed Salah's penalty helps Liverpool beat Aston Villa 1-0 to remain 2nd

Aston Villa have confirmed that their Friday’s FA Cup third-round encounter against Liverpool will be played as per scheduled despite many of their first-team players and staff testing positive for coronavirus.&nbsp;

Villa were forced to shut their training ground on Thursday with concerns that they would have to forfeit their match&nbsp;against&nbsp;Jurgen Klopp’s side.&nbsp;

"Aston Villa can confirm that the Emirates FA Cup third-round tie with Liverpool will be played at Villa Park this evening," read a brief statement on the club's website.&nbsp;

As per reports, no first-team player will participate in the FA Cup tie with 10 players in the first-team bubble testing positive for the virus.&nbsp;

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With no Steve Bruce available, under-23s coach Mark Delaney is expected to take charge of a side assembled with under-18 and under-23 players.&nbsp;

The recent outbreak at Villa also put their upcoming Premier League matches in doubt. They are set to face Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday before taking on Everton on January&nbsp;16.&nbsp;

There are further concerns over the Premier League 2020-21 season fate with infection rising sharply in Britain.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/coronavirus-brexit-tame-premier-league-spending-355319" hreflang="en">Coronavirus, Brexit tame Premier League spending</a>

A record-high 40 positive tests were detected among Premier League players and staff in the week between December 28 and January 3.&nbsp;

Newcastle United’s match against Aston Villa in December 2020 was the first top-flight match to get postponed by COVID-19 outbreak.&nbsp;

Magpies manager Steve Bruce questioned the morality of playing on as the pandemic worsens.&nbsp;

"The speed which it hit our club within a week, and ripped through, is something which all clubs will be looking at now," he said.&nbsp;

"It's difficult to contain and it leaves people sick. Financially it's right to play on but morally, for me, it's probably wrong."&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Aston Villa have confirmed that their Friday’s FA Cup third-round encounter against Liverpool will be played as per scheduled despite many of their first-team players and staff testing positive for coronavirus.

Aston Villa have confirmed that their Friday’s FA Cup third-round encounter against Liverpool will be played as per scheduled despite many of their first-team players and staff testing positive for coronavirus. Villa were forced to shut their training ground on Thursday with concerns that they would have to forfeit their match against Jurgen Klopp’s side. "Aston Villa can confirm that the Emirates FA Cup third-round tie with Liverpool will be played at Villa Park this evening," read a brief statement on the club's website. As per reports, no first-team player will participate in the FA Cup tie with 10 players in the first-team bubble testing positive for the virus. ALSO READ: Arsenal exit for Ozil could be 'best solution', says Arteta With no Steve Bruce available, under-23s coach Mark Delaney is expected to take charge of a side assembled with under-18 and under-23 players. The recent outbreak at Villa also put their upcoming Premier League matches in doubt. They are set to face Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday before taking on Everton on January 16. There are further concerns over the Premier League 2020-21 season fate with infection rising sharply in Britain. ALSO READ: Coronavirus, Brexit tame Premier League spending A record-high 40 positive tests were detected among Premier League players and staff in the week between December 28 and January 3. Newcastle United’s match against Aston Villa in December 2020 was the first top-flight match to get postponed by COVID-19 outbreak. Magpies manager Steve Bruce questioned the morality of playing on as the pandemic worsens. "The speed which it hit our club within a week, and ripped through, is something which all clubs will be looking at now," he said. "It's difficult to contain and it leaves people sick. Financially it's right to play on but morally, for me, it's probably wrong."

FA Cup: Aston Villa confirm Liverpool match to go ahead despite coronavirus outbreak