Aston Villa 4-2 Liverpool: Watkins’ brace fire Villa into Champions League spot

Aston Villa claimed a 4-2 victory over Liverpool in the Premier League on Friday, sealing Champions League qualification.

The result sends Villa to fourth in the standings, three points clear of Liverpool and seven ahead of Bournemouth with one game remaining.

Villa carved out the first opportunity in the seventh minute, with Ollie Watkins curling an effort over.

Liverpool had their first attempt in the 20th minute. Alexis Mac Allister teed up Joe Gomez, who fired over the crossbar.

Mac Allister then picked out Rio Ngumoha. The teenager cut inside and drove through the centre, but could not hit the target.

Cody Gakpo thought he had scored after Emiliano Martinez spilt Ryan Gravenberch’s strike, but it was ruled out for offside.

Dominic Szoboszlai nearly gave Liverpool the lead in the 31st minute with a powerful strike from range, but Martinez parried his effort away.

Villa broke the deadlock against the run of play in the 42nd minute after a well-worked set-piece, setting up Morgan Rogers to finish.

Liverpool drew level in the 52nd minute, with Virgil van Dijk getting on the end of Szoboszlai’s cross and heading into the net.

Ngumoha almost put Liverpool ahead when he glided across to aim for the far post, but his effort hit the woodwork.

Watkins restored the Villans’ lead in the 57th minute after Szoboszlai slipped. He had two further chances, but Giorgi Mamardashvili stood firm.

Emiliano Buendia came close to adding to Villa’s advantage after dropping his shoulder, but his curling strike hit the woodwork.

Watkins gave the hosts a two-goal cushion in the 73rd minute, before John McGinn compounded the Reds’ woes with a brilliant strike to make it 4-1.

Van Dijk scored a consolation goal for the visitors in stoppage time, but it was too little, too late.