Aston Villa finally secured Champions League qualification with a dramatic 4-2 win over Liverpool at Villa Park, punishing a divided Liverpool team in a chaotic Premier League match.
The hosts started fresh and came close to scoring after just two minutes, when Morgan Rogers stole the ball from Ryan Gravenberch before playing it on to Ollie Watkins. However, his low shot was easily picked up by Giorgi Mamardashvili.
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Watkins continued to threaten and should have done better shortly after. He cut in front of Virgil van Dijk, but fired over from a promising position.
Liverpool gradually found their rhythm in the game, with Rio Ngumoha being a constant threat on the left wing. The young winger’s direct run caused repeated problems for Matty Cash, while Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister both came close to scoring as the visitors grew into the clash.
Cody Gakpo even had the ball in the net midway through the first half, but the Dutchman was offside before slotting in from close range.
Villa regained momentum before half-time and took the lead in the 42nd minute through Rogers. After Liverpool failed to clear a short corner, Lucas Digne exchanged passes with John McGinn before playing to the England international, who turned a calm finish into the far corner and sent Villa Park into ecstasy.
Reds fight back in the second half
Liverpool responded after half-time and equalised seven minutes into the second half. Szoboszlai hit a dangerous free-kick into the box, and Van Dijk got past his marker and headed the ball past Emiliano Martínez to make it 1-1.
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However, Villa hit back almost immediately. Szoboszlai slipped when he tried to control a throw-in deep in his own half, giving Rogers the opportunity to storm forward and lay the ball to Watkins. The striker then calmly put the ball into the net from close range and restored the hosts’ lead.
Arne Slot’s team pushed for another equaliser and were painfully close when Ngumoha hit the post after a driving run in from the left.
But Villa looked increasingly dangerous on the counter-attack and eventually increased their lead in the 73rd minute. After a corner, Youri Tielemans’ volley was saved by Mamardashvili. Pau Torres had the rebound called off, but Watkins reacted quickest and forced Villa’s third goal.
McGinn then ended an excellent night for Unai Emery’s side with a brilliant solo performance late in the game. This time, Watkins was the schemer. The Villa captain got the ball on the edge of the sixteen-yard box, moved over to his left foot and turned the ball magnificently into the cross to make it 4-1.
Van Dijk headed in a second consolation goal deep in injury time from another Szoboszlai set-piece, but it didn’t change the mood much. Liverpool must now focus on beating Brentford in the final game of the season to secure their place among Europe’s elite next season.
