Watkins stars as Villa beat Liverpool | OneFootball

Aston Villa sealed their place in next season’s Champions League after producing an outstanding display to beat Liverpool 4-2 at Villa Park.

Unai Emery’s side started brightly and were rewarded late in the first half when Morgan Rogers curled home after a clever corner routine caught Liverpool out.

The visitors responded shortly after the break as Virgil van Dijk powered in a header from Dominik Szoboszlai’s free-kick, but Liverpool quickly fell apart defensively.

Szoboszlai slipped deep inside his own half moments later, allowing Rogers to race forward and square for Ollie Watkins, who calmly restored Villa’s lead.

Liverpool threatened an equaliser when youngster Rio Ngumoha smashed an effort against the post, yet Villa always looked dangerous going forward.

Watkins grabbed his second of the evening in the 73rd minute, reacting quickest after Giorgi Mamardashvili denied both Youri Tielemans and Pau Torres from close range.

John McGinn then wrapped up a brilliant night for the hosts with a superb curling effort from outside the area before Van Dijk added a late consolation in stoppage time.

The result guarantees Champions League football for Villa, while Liverpool’s top-four hopes will now go down to the final weekend.

Incidents: The story of the match

Aston Villa Official Line-ups:

Emiliano Martínez, Matty Cash, Victor Lindelöf, Pau Torres, Ezri Konsa, Lucas Digne, Emiliano Buendía, John McGinn, Youri Tielemans, Ollie Watkins, Morgan Rogers

Liverpool Official Line-ups:

Giorgi Mamardashvili, Virgil Van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konaté, Milos Kerkez, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones, Ryan Gravenberch, Cody Gakpo, Rio Ngumoha

1':

The match begins

Morgan Rogers scores to make it 1-0, assisted by Lucas Digne.Aston Villa leads 1-0 against Liverpool. Morgan Rogers scores for Aston Villa with a right-footed shot from the left side of the box into the right corner, assisted by Lucas Digne after a corner.Aston Villa leads 1-0 against Liverpool. Morgan Rogers scores with a right-footed shot from the left side of the box into the right corner, assisted by Lucas Digne after a corner.Aston Villa leads 1-0 against Liverpool. Morgan Rogers scores for Aston Villa with a right-footed shot from the left side of the box into the right corner, assisted by Lucas Digne after a corner.Aston Villa leads 1-0 against Liverpool. Morgan Rogers scores with a right-footed shot from the left side of the box into the right corner, assisted by Lucas Digne after a corner.Morgan Rogers scores to make it 1-0, assisted by Lucas Digne.Morgan Rogers scores to make it 1-0, assisted by Lucas Digne.Aston Villa leads 1-0 against Liverpool. Morgan Rogers scores for Aston Villa with a right-footed shot from the left side of the box into the right corner, assisted by Lucas Digne after a corner.

42':

GOAL Aston Villa: Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa) scores!

Morgan Rogers scores goal number 10 in the competition (37 matches)

The score is now 1-1 as Virgil van Dijk heads the ball into the right corner for Liverpool, assisted by a cross from Dominik Szoboszlai.The match is now 1-1 as Virgil van Dijk scores for Liverpool with a header into the right corner, assisted by Dominik Szoboszlai's cross.Virgil van Dijk scores to make it 1-1, assisted by Dominik Szoboszlai.Virgil van Dijk scores to make it 1-1, assisted by Dominik Szoboszlai.The match is now 1-1 as Virgil van Dijk scores for Liverpool with a header into the right corner, assisted by a cross from Dominik Szoboszlai.

52':

GOAL Liverpool: Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool) scores!

Virgil Van Dijk scores goal number 5 in the competition (37 matches) Virgil Van Dijk scores goal number 37 for his team (374 matches)

Virgil van Dijk scores, making it 1-1.Virgil van Dijk scores, making it 1-1.Aston Villa lead 2-1 against Liverpool. Ollie Watkins scores for Aston Villa with a right-footed shot from the center of the box into the left corner, assisted by Morgan Rogers.Aston Villa takes the lead 2-1 with Ollie Watkins scoring from the center of the box into the left corner, assisted by Morgan Rogers.Aston Villa leads 2-1 against Liverpool. Ollie Watkins scores for Aston Villa with a right-footed shot from the center of the box into the left corner, assisted by Morgan Rogers.

57':

GOAL Aston Villa: Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) scores!

Ollie Watkins scores goal number 13 in the competition (36 matches)

Ollie Watkins scores to make it 2-1, assisted by Morgan Rogers.Ollie Watkins scores to make it 2-1, assisted by Morgan Rogers.Ollie Watkins scores, making it 3-1.Ollie Watkins scores, making it 3-1.Aston Villa lead 3-1 against Liverpool. Ollie Watkins scores for Aston Villa with a right-footed shot from close range into the right corner after a corner kick.

73':

GOAL Aston Villa: Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) scores!

Ollie Watkins scores goal number 14 in the competition (36 matches)

Aston Villa 4, Liverpool 1. John McGinn scores for Aston Villa with a left-footed shot from outside the box into the top left corner, assisted by Ollie Watkins.

89':

GOAL Aston Villa: John McGinn (Aston Villa) scores!

John McGinn scores goal number 5 in the competition (29 matches)

Liverpool scores to make it 4-2. Virgil van Dijk heads the ball into the right corner from the center of the box, assisted by Dominik Szoboszlai's cross following a corner.

90 +2':

GOAL Liverpool: Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool) scores!

Virgil Van Dijk scores goal number 6 in the competition (37 matches) Virgil Van Dijk scores goal number 37 for his team (374 matches)

998':

The referee whistles for the end of the match