Lifeline thrown Aston Villa after losing lead to Liverpool (9)
I believe the answer is:
salvation
'lifeline' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot see how one could define the other.
I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for salvation that I've seen before include "sanctuary" , "Deliverance from evil" , "Alias on TV (anag) - Christian's aim?" , "Major Barbara's Army" , "Redemption" .)