Aston Villa secured a Champions League spot with a decisive victory over Liverpool, highlighted by Ollie Watkins' two goals. The win exposed Liverpool's defensive weaknesses, particularly from set pieces, as Villa prepares for the Europa League final.
Aston Villa qualified for the Champions League in style after leapfrogging Liverpool with a stirring victory that exposed the blind spots that have undermined Arne Slotâs meek title defence. Ollie Watkins scored twice after Virgil van Dijk had cancelled out Morgan Rogersâ brilliant, curling opener before Villaâs captain, John McGinn, completed the rout from the edge of the box. Liverpool have now conceded a league-high 20 goals from set pieces this season, Rogers benefiting from a well-worked corner routine in the first half and Watkins in the second. For Villa, whose league form had been indifferent since the turn of the year, a confidence-inducing victory before Wednesdayâs Europa League final.
On a sun-kissed evening at Villa Park, until Rogersâ beautiful strike approaching the interval it was impossible not to detect the end-of-season feel flowing through the veins of these sides during a flat and uninspiring first half. Unai Emery presumably expected more given he named a full-strength XI despite the prospect of Villa winning their first major European final in 44 years just a matter of days away. Liverpool welcomed Mohamed Salah and Florian Wirtz back to their squad but Alexander Isak, the former only capable of playing âonly a few minutesâ, and Jeremie Frimpong dropped out with minor issues, meaning Slot was without nine first-team players, a quartet of youngsters named on the bench.
Liverpool appeared loose in shape, Cody Gakpo leading the line, Curtis Jones popping up on the right flank and Rio Ngumoha, whose withdrawal against Chelsea forced Slot to explain afterwards that the 17-year-old was struggling with cramp, on the opposite wing. Gakpo rippled Villaâs net after Emiliano MartĂnez spilled a shot by Ryan Gravenberch but was a yard or two offside. When Dominik Szoboszlai sent a swerving effort at goal from 30 yards a few minutes later, MartĂnez opted for safety-first, pushing the ball away with two hands. But Liverpool were stodgy, a pale imitation of the team that dazzled en route to the title under Slot last season.
Villa always looked more likely to open the scoring, Watkins testing Giorgi Mamardashvili inside 90 seconds after swivelling and taking aim. When Mamardashvili was too hasty in surging from goal without preserving the ball, Rogers looked to locate Watkins before Liverpool extinguished the danger. Liverpoolâs first effort courtesy of Joe Gomez, yet to score a career goal, sailed over the Villa bar. Ngumoha had his moments but where was Liverpoolâs attacking edge?
Villa instead displayed theirs on 42 minutes, leaving Slot unmoved on the edge of his technical area. The galling thing for Liverpool was that it stemmed from a corner, a training-ground routine seemingly architected by Austin MacPhee, Villaâs set-piece coach whom Rogers embraced after curling the ball into the far top corner of Mamardashviliâs goal. John McGinn and Lucas Digne exchanged passes, the latter releasing Rogers to exhibit the first real piece of quality. Presumably Slot had one particular statistic running through his mind as he headed down the tunnel: his side have failed to win any of their 13 away league games when trailing at half-time.
Aston Villa qualified for the Champions League by defeating Liverpool, which allowed them to leapfrog Liverpool in the standings.
Key moments included Morgan Rogers' opening goal, Ollie Watkins scoring twice, and John McGinn sealing the victory, all while Liverpool struggled defensively.
Liverpool faced significant defensive issues, conceding goals from set pieces and lacking attacking edge, which contributed to their defeat.
The victory boosts Aston Villa's confidence ahead of their Europa League final, marking a crucial moment as they aim for their first major European title in 44 years.
Aston Villa defeated Liverpool 4-2, securing Champions League qualification while leaving Liverpool needing a win against Brentford to secure their own spot. Watkins scored twice in the second half, highlighting Villa's dominance.
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Morgan Rogers (third left) curls the ball past Giorgi Mamardashvili to give Villa the lead. Photograph: Peter Powell/EPA
Youri Tielemans breezed past Gravenberchâs challenge at the start of the second half, leaving the Dutchman in a heap, but after the restart there was also more tempo to Liverpoolâs play. Ngumoha burned past Matty Cash and from the byline, and possibly out of play, he sent the ball into the box. Villa stopped but Liverpool stayed alive and Pau Torres blocked a shot by Jones. MartĂnez frantically waved to the referee, Chris Kavanagh, screaming injustice.
A couple of minutes later all eyes were on Kavanagh when the big screens indicated a video assistant referee review after Van Dijk planted a header past MartĂnez. Van Dijk gave Cash a brief shove before meeting Szoboszlaiâs free-kick at the edge of the six-yard box. Van Dijk wagged his index finger, insisting there was no foul and the goal was awarded after he was cleared of offside.
This contest took on a different shape. Watkins put the ball in the net before the offside flag went up and then Ngumoha whizzed inside McGinn, cracking a low shot against the base of a post. The ball cannoned towards Gakpo and, at an awkward height, he failed to make clean contact with the rebound. Liverpool were so close to seizing the lead but trailed a minute later, Ibrahima KonatĂ© slumped on the turf while Watkins wheeled away in celebration patting the crest on his chest. It was a painful goal from a Liverpool perspective and particularly agonising for Szoboszlai, far and away their best performer in a difficult season. He slipped after receiving Milos Kerkezâs throw-in, Rogers was first on the scene and teed up Watkins who applied a clever finish.
A rampant Watkins hunted for another goal, Mamardashvili saving well after BuendĂa released the England striker and it arrived with 73 minutes on the clock. By that point BuendĂa had gone close himself, stepping inside to rattle the crossbar with a bending effort. Watkinsâ second was so simple, tapping in after Mamardashvili saved from Pau Torres. For Liverpool, it came from another opposition corner. Mamardashvili saved Tielemansâ strike from distance but Van Dijk was left grimacing as Watkins was on hand to fire before McGinn got in on the act. Van Dijk headed a consolation in stoppage time.