Ollie Watkins scored twice as Aston Villa cruised to a 4-2 Premier League victory over Liverpool on Friday, sealing qualification for the Champions League for next season and leaving the visitor looking over his shoulder at the chasing pack.
The win moves Villa to fourth place with 62 points from 37 games, putting them ahead of their opponents, who have 59 points from the same number of games.
Liverpool remain vulnerable to the fallout from both Bournemouth and Brighton & Hove Albion in the race for a Champions League place as they slide to a twelfth defeat of the season with one point from the last nine available.
Morgan Rogers gave Villa a lead in the first half before Virgil van Dijk equalized for Liverpool early in the second period and went further in extra time.
READ | Carrick says a decision will be made soon on his future as Man United manager
But Watkins’ double and a brilliant late fourth from John McGinn secured victory for Unai Emery’s side, who go into Wednesday’s Europa League final against Freiburg in high spirits.
“We had to cross the line,” McGinn said Air sports. It allows us to be excited and enjoy Wednesday thoroughly.
“He (Watkins) was obviously disappointed in March (he was left out of the England squad), but if it kicked him up the backside he certainly responded in the best way.
«We are so lucky to have him. What he has done for this club over the last few seasons has been incredible. Hopefully he can continue that next week.»
Villa heads to Istanbul to face Freiburg with one of this season’s key goals already achieved, and the chance to lift silverware to cap off his campaign.
The host took the lead after 42 minutes against the full time. Lucas Digne found Rogers in space on the left of the penalty area and the striker curled it into the far corner.
Liverpool leveled after 52 minutes when Van Dijk headed in at the back post from Dominik Szoboszlai’s free-kick, before 17-year-old winger Rio Ngumoha hit the base of the post from the edge of the penalty area.
But a Szoboszlai slip gave Watkins a second goal for the home side, and Emiliano Buendia hit Liverpool’s post with a curling shot, increasing the chances of Villa scoring again.
And that was evident when Watkins scored his second goal via a rebound from close range.
McGinn struck a beautiful shot to make it 4-1 in the 89th minute, before Van Dijk’s second headed goal brought some respect to the score.
Published on May 16, 2026
