Jamie Redknapp praises Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins who is an absolute menace to Liverpool | OneFootball

Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins bagged a brace and an assist to help beat Liverpool 4-2 at Villa Park and secure their place in the UEFA Champions League next season.

The Villains are buzzing with a Europa League final up ahead after beating the reigning Premier League champions, Liverpool.

Villa opened the scoring through Morgan Rogers, but Liverpool responded via captain Virgil Van Dijk.

Watkins then bagged a brace before John McGinn netted a beauty. Van Dijk scored again for the Reds to make it 4-2.

Watkins was voted Man of the Match and rightly so, following his two goals and assists to take his tally against Liverpool to eight goals and three assists in 12 appearances.

Former Liverpool star turned pundit Jamie Redknapp branded the Aston Villa ace his former club’s nemesis. He scored twice and could have added two more.

He said (via the BBC), “He is Liverpool’s nemesis – they just can’t handle him. Nobody gives Virgil van Dijk more difficulties than Ollie Watkins.

“He’s an absolute menace to Liverpool.”

After a difficult start, the England international is finally finding his feet. He has now registered 19 goals and five assists this season.

Villa’s number one need in January was bringing in a striker, and they signed Tammy Abraham, but Watkins improved rapidly and consolidated his place in the line-up.

The 30-year-old has now spearheaded the Villains back into the Champions League, and destiny awaits in the midweek Europa League final.

Unai Emery’s side now head into the Europa League final brimming with confidence, and Freiburg will know they are facing one of Europe’s most dangerous attacking units.

Watkins looks unstoppable again, Rogers is growing into a genuine star, Emiliano Buendia is flying, and McGinn continues to deliver in the biggest moments.

Villa’s fluid movement in the final third is overwhelming opponents.

Liverpool could not cope with the relentless intensity and directness pouring from Villa’s front line.

Freiburg are organised and disciplined, but if Villa reproduce this level of attacking sharpness, energy and ruthlessness, their front four should prove far too much to handle.