Aston Villa finally secured Champions League qualification with a thrilling 4-2 win over Liverpool at Villa Park, punishing a disjointed Reds side in a chaotic Premier League encounter.
The hosts started brightly and nearly struck inside two minutes when Morgan Rogers robbed Ryan Gravenberch before feeding Ollie Watkins, whose low effort was comfortably gathered by Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Watkins continued to threaten and should have done better shortly after, cutting inside Virgil van Dijk only to blaze over from a promising position.
Liverpool gradually settled into the match, with Rio Ngumoha proving a constant outlet down the left. The youngster’s direct running caused Matty Cash repeated problems, while Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister both came close as the visitors grew into the contest.
Cody Gakpo even had the ball in the net midway through the first half, but the Dutchman had strayed offside before converting from close range.
Villa regained momentum before the break and made the breakthrough in the 42nd minute through Rogers. After Liverpool failed to clear a short corner routine, Lucas Digne exchanged passes with John McGinn before squaring for the England international, who curled a composed finish into the far corner to send Villa Park into raptures.
Reds fight back in second half
Liverpool responded after half-time and equalised seven minutes into the second period. Szoboszlai whipped a dangerous free-kick into the area and Van Dijk escaped his marker to guide a header beyond Emiliano Martinez for 1-1.
However, Villa hit back almost immediately. Szoboszlai slipped while attempting to control a throw-in deep inside his own half, allowing Rogers to surge forward and square for Watkins, who calmly swept home from close range to restore the hosts’ lead.
Arne Slot’s side pushed for another response and came agonisingly close when Ngumoha struck the post after a driving run inside from the left flank.
But Villa looked increasingly dangerous on the counter and eventually extended their advantage in the 73rd minute. Following a corner, Youri Tielemans’ volley was saved by Mamardashvili, Pau Torres saw the rebound denied, but Watkins reacted quickest to force home Villa’s third.
McGinn then capped an excellent evening for Unai Emery’s side with a superb solo finish late on. Watkins turned provider this time, feeding the Villa captain on the edge of the box before he shifted onto his left foot and curled brilliantly into the top corner for 4-1.
Van Dijk headed in a second consolation goal deep into stoppage time from another Szoboszlai set-piece, but it did little to change the mood. The Reds must now focus on beating Brentford in the last game of the season to secure their spot among Europe’s elite next season.
