Aston Villa 4-2 Liverpool: Emery's side secure Champions League spot with a huge win

Aston Villa secured Champions League qualification and left Liverpool anxiously waiting to clinch a top-five Premier League finish following a thrilling 4-2 win at Villa Park.

Match Report 

Ollie Watkins' second-half brace was decisive as the Europa League finalists ensured they will return to UEFA's elite competition on the back of their league position, regardless of how they fare against Freiburg in Istanbul next week.

Both teams knew a victory would get the job done, but it was Villa who made the brighter start, even if they had the offside flag to thank when Cody Gakpo pounced on some suspect goalkeeping from Emiliano Martinez to tap home.

Villa struck following an excellent corner routine in the 42nd minute, as Lucas Digne exchanged passes with John McGinn before finding Morgan Rogers, who curled beyond Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Liverpool equalised in the 52nd minute via a back-post header from Virgil van Dijk, and they then enjoyed a brief spell of positivity as Rio Ngumoha hit the base of the post.

But Aston Villa re-established their lead within five minutes as Dominik Szoboszlai's slip gifted possession to Rogers, who teed up Watkins for a simple finish.

After Emiliano Buendia also hit the post, Watkins added another poacher's finish in the 73rd minute, tucking past Mamardashvili after the Liverpool goalkeeper did well to thwart Youri Tielemans and Pau Torres.

McGinn added further gloss with a pinpoint strike into the top-left corner in the 88th minute, and even though another Van Dijk header made the scoreline slightly more respectable for Liverpool in stoppage time, there was no way back for Arne Slot's men.

Depending on results elsewhere in the coming days, they may now have to beat Brentford on the final matchday to be sure of joining Villa in the Champions League.

Data Debrief: Watkins haunts Liverpool again, Reds' defence hits new low

Watkins has now scored eight Premier League goals against Liverpool, seven of which have come at Villa Park.

No player has scored more home goals versus the Reds in the competition, with Thierry Henry and Sergio Aguero also scoring seven.

Liverpool have now suffered 19 defeats this season across all competitions. Since they were last promoted to the top flight in 1962, only in 1992-93 (20) have the Reds suffered more defeats in a campaign (also 19 in 2004-05 and 2009-10).  

And they have conceded 52 goals in the Premier League this term, with this the first time they have ever shipped a half-century in a single campaign in the competition. 

Villa had fewer shots than Liverpool (14 to 16) but edged the expected goals (xG) battle by 1.91 to 1.55, as Unai Emery became the first Villa manager to lead them to the European Cup or Champions League in two separate seasons. 

Match Events

0' The match is about to start!

2' Match Event for Aston Villa vs Liverpool

8' Match Event for Aston Villa vs Liverpool

12' Match Event for Aston Villa vs Liverpool

20' Highlight from Aston Villa vs Liverpool

23' Match Event for Aston Villa vs Liverpool

27' Match Event for Aston Villa vs Liverpool

32' Match Event for Aston Villa vs Liverpool

39' Match Event for Aston Villa vs Liverpool

42' GOAL! Aston Villa 1-0 Liverpool (Morgan Rogers)

50' Match Event for Aston Villa vs Liverpool

52' GOAL! Aston Villa 1-1 Liverpool (Virgil van Dijk)

56' Match Event for Aston Villa vs Liverpool

58' GOAL! Aston Villa 2-1 Liverpool

68' Highlight from Aston Villa vs Liverpool

70' Highlight from Aston Villa vs Liverpool

73' GOAL! Aston Villa 3-1 Liverpool (Ollie Watkins)

89' GOAL! Aston Villa 4-1 Liverpool (John McGinn)

Line-ups

Aston Villa XI: E. Martinez, Lindelof, Digne, McGinn, Tielemans, Ollie Watkins, Buendia, P. Torres, Ngoyo, Matty Cash, Morgan Rogers

Subs: Marco Bizot, Barkley, Abraham, Bailey, Douglas Luiz, Sancho, Maatsen, Lamare Bogarde, Andrés García

Liverpool XI: Van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Konate, Gakpo, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Gravenberch, Milos Kerkez, Rio Ngumoha

Subs: Salah, Robertson, Freddie Woodman, Chiesa, Wirtz, James McConnell, Trey Nyoni, Will Wright, Mor Talla Ndiaye