Aston Villa booked their place in next season’s UEFA Champions League after beating rivals Liverpool 4-2 in an entertaining clash at Villa Park.
Morgan Rogers handed the hosts the breakthrough just before half-time, curling a fine effort into the corner in the 42nd minute after Villa cleverly exploited Liverpool with a rehearsed corner routine.
Liverpool responded soon after the restart when captain Virgil van Dijk powered home a header to level proceedings, but Villa quickly regained control of the contest.
A costly slip from Dominik Szoboszlai allowed Rogers to pounce and tee up Ollie Watkins, who fired Villa back in front on 57 minutes.
Watkins struck again later in the second half from close range to strengthen Villa’s grip on the game before captain John McGinn curled home a superb late effort to seal the victory and heap further pressure on Liverpool manager Arne Slot.
Van Dijk grabbed his second goal of the evening deep into stoppage time, although it proved little more than consolation as Villa celebrated a famous win in front of their home supporters.
The victory lifts Villa into fourth place and confirms Unai Emery’s side will finish inside the Premier League’s top five, securing Champions League football for next season.
Liverpool, meanwhile, remain fifth and still need points to guarantee qualification for Europe’s elite competition.
Villa now turn their attention to Wednesday’s UEFA Europa League final against SC Freiburg before ending their league campaign away to Manchester City.
