Villa youngsters shine; Sadio Mane 8, Mohamed Salah 6, Henderson 4: Aston Villa v Liverpool ratings

Liverpool ease through in FA Cup against Covid-weakened opposition

ASTON VILLA RATINGS: Akos Onodi - 6, The Hungarian was always in for a busy night but a first-half save from Fabinho boosted his confidence. The 19-year-old did his reputation no harm despite conceding four goals. Reuters

Jake Walker - 6, The 20-year-old was recalled from a loan with non-league Alvechurch for this tie and showed it was the right decision with a strong display. EPA

Dominic Revan - 6, The 20-year-old showed his inexperience on the opening goal but made numerous blocks and interventions. The Villa captain anchored the defence. Getty

Mungo Bridge - 7, The 20-year-old lost Mane when Liverpool struck early but recovered his composure. He was always prepared to put his body on the line. PA

Callum Rowe - 7, The 21-year-old was the oldest player in the squad and has recently returned from a year out with a knee injury. Provided a magnificent ball for Barry’s goal. Getty

Kaine Hayden-Kesler - 7, The 17-year-old was keen to get forward on Villa breaks and managed to send in a teasing back-post cross that caused Liverpool consternation. The full back was played out of position in midfield and thrived. AFP

Mohammed Sylla - 7, The 18-year-old defensive midfielder who was born in Barcelona got up and down the pitch and distinguished himself with a sliding challenge on Henderson in the six-yard box. AP

Lamare Bogarde - 7, The Dutch youngster turned 17 this week and emerged with honour from his battle with Henderson and Jones. He tired and was given a breather when taken off for Lindley with 24 minutes left. Getty

Arjan Raikhy - 7, Put in a shift when Liverpool were in possession. The 18-year-old also looked to get the ball back and spring a Villa attack at every opportunity. Went off for Sohna with 25 minutes to go. EPA

Ben Chrisene - 6, The 16-year-old has a fine left foot and proved that he is comfortable on the ball, even against the champions. Ran out of steam just after the hour mark and was withdrawn for Young. Getty

Louie Barry - 8, The 17-year-old had a spell at Barcelona and the way he converted his goal showed why the La Liga giants had a long look at the striker. Has a bit of pace and a touch of class. Reuters

SUBS: Bradley Young - 6, The 18-year-old replaced Chrisene in the 61st minute. He was unlucky to arrive in the midst of Liverpool’s goal onslaught but showed a little style when pirouetting out of danger in his own box. AP

Harrison Sohna - 6, The 18-year-old joined the action in the 65th minute in place of Raikhy and brought fresh legs to a tiring midfield. PA

Hayden Lindley - 6, The 18-year-old replaced Bogarde for the last 24 minutes and found himself up against Thiago. Worked hard and will be better for the experience. Getty

Sil Swinkels - 7, The 17-year-old Dutchman came off the bench to replace Callum Rowe in the 75th minute and enjoyed his runout at left back even though he is a central defender. Made an outstanding challenge on Neco Williams in the box. Reuters

Edward Rowe - 6, The 17-year-old had 15 minutes of action when Walker came off. Showed promise in his short cameo. Getty

LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Caoimhin Kelleher - 6, The Irishman conceded five on his previous appearance at Villa Park so had a much more comfortable night this time. Left exposed for the goal and had little chance to save Barry’s shot. EPA

Neco Williams - 6, One of the brighter performances in a grim first half. The 19-year-old provided some attacking thrust when Liverpool were disjointed. EPA

Rhys Williams - 4, Barry exposed the 19-year-old’s lack of pace for the equaliser. The centre back should be learning his trade against teams of this Villa side's standard rather than in the Premier League. Reuters

Fabinho - 5, Poor in the first half but improved after the break. Being marooned at the back gives the Brazilian less opportunity to influence attacking play. EPA

James Milner - 6, The 35-year-old was solid enough against his former club but lacked creative quality. He is never fully comfortable at left back but does not shirk the challenge. AP

Jordan Henderson - 4, The captain looked in need of a rest and was taken off at half time for Thiago. Not a night he will remember fondly after allowing Rowe the space to supply Barry for the goal. Reuters

Georginio Wijnaldum - 6, Missed an early sitter and shot over the bar later in the first half. The Dutchman redeemed himself with the second goal but was nowhere near his best. Getty

Curtis Jones – 5, The 19-year-old sent in a nice cross for the opening goal but was subdued otherwise. He was not as bold with his passing and running as he has been in the Premier League. EPA

Mohamed Salah - 6, The Egyptian scored when Villa began to tire but might have expected a more fruitful night. He was unlucky to have another goal ruled out. Made way for Oxlade-Chamberlain with 16 minutes to go. Reuters

Takumi Minamino - 3, The Japanese was anonymous against weakened opposition in a situation that seemed set up for him to shine. After a year at Anfield the 25-year-old needs to make an impact soon. EPA

Sadio Mane - 8, The Senegalese was the sharpest of the attackers and was rewarded with a brace of goals. Substituted for Origi once the game was won. Reuters

Thiago Alcantara - 8, The playmaker replaced Henderson at the break and made a huge difference. His vision and precise passing confounded the Villa youngsters and led to the glut of goals. Reuters

SUBS: Xherdan Shaqiri - 7, The Swiss had an immediate impact after coming on for Minamino in the 61st minute, contributing to two goals. He is the sort of player who loves to exploit a mismatch. Reuters

Roberto Firmino - 6, Drafted off the bench at the expense of Jones just after the hour mark. Brought the sort of intelligence to the attack that was missing before half time. EPA

Divock Origi - 4, There is never any shortage of effort from the Belgian but he lacks the subtlety and touch to shine in this team. He was given 16 minutes after Mane departed but did not offer much. Reuters

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - 5, Replaced Salah for the closing stages but has not recovered his form this season after returning last month from his long injury layoff. Reuters

Liverpool strolled into the FA Cup fourth round with a 4-1 win at an understrength Aston Villa after the home side were forced to field academy players due to a mass Covid-19 outbreak among their ranks.

Sadio Mane scored twice for the Premier League champions while Georginio Wijnaldum and Mohamed Salah added one each to cancel out a fine goal by Villa's 17-year old striker Louie Barry, who netted on his senior debut for the Midlands side.

Barry enjoyed a moment of glory when he levelled after Mane's early opener but Liverpool put the game out of Villa's reach as they scored three times in five minutes midway through the second half.

Villa's Under-23 coach Mark Delaney took charge of the game instead of first-team manager Dean Smith and the club also closed their training ground on Thursday after nine players and five staff members tested positive for Covid.

Player ratings from the match can be seen in the gallery above. To view the next image, click on the arrows or swipe on the picture.