Mane at the double as Reds see off Villa kids

S a d i o Ma n e ' s d o u b l e helped Liverpool survive a major FA Cup scare against Aston Villa's plucky kids.

T h e R e d s e v e n t u a l l y clinched a 4- 1 third- round win after Louie Barr y' s equaliser f or coronavirus- hit Villa threatened to embarrass the visitors.

Mane s t r u c k a n e a r - ly opener, but Liverpool needed t hree quickfire second- half goals f rom Georgi ni o Wij nal dum, Mane and Mo Salah to end the hosts' hopes of a stunning upset.

Villa's first- team squad had been decimated by coronavirus, with nine players t esting positive along with five staff, forcing the club to quickly call on the youngsters.

The game had been in d o u b t u n t i l y e s t e r d a y morning, but disciplined Villa produced a dogged display, with Barry, goalkeeper Akos Onodi and Mungo Bridge announcing themselves.

S e v e r a l me mb e r s o f the squad are yet to pass t h e i r d r i v i n g t e s t a n d were dropped off at Villa Park by their parents, but they held their own for an hour against the Premier League champions.

Adama Traore's superb first- half goal saw Wolves claim a 1- 0 win over Crystal Palace to progress to the fourth round.

A bitterly cold night at Molineux was warmed up after 35 minutes by the Spain international's thunderous 18- yard strike.

The hosts were much the better side on the night against a disjointed Palace team which included nine changes and saw talisman Wilfried Zaha start the tie on the bench.