Ollie Watkins was absolutely sensational at Villa Park, bagging a brace and setting up another goal as Aston Villa demolished Liverpool 4-2.
The victory lifts Villa into fourth place in the Premier League, guaranteeing them a spot in next season’s Champions League.
It’s brilliant timing for Unai Emery’s side, who now head to Istanbul in high spirits for Wednesday’s Europa League Final against Freiburg.
Villa are chasing their first major silverware in three decades, and Watkins looks ready to deliver.
Ollie Watkins scored twice for Aston Villa in the victory over Liverpool
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The striker has been in remarkable form, netting 10 goals in his last 11 appearances.
The first half was a fairly subdued affair, with Morgan Rogers providing the only real spark.
A cleverly worked corner routine caught Liverpool napping, and Rogers curled home beautifully for his 10th league goal of the campaign.
Liverpool found their response seven minutes into the second period when Virgil van Dijk headed in from Dominik Szoboszlai’s free-kick delivery.
But the equaliser lasted just five minutes.
Dominik Szoboszlai’s slip proved pivotal to Liverpool, though his set-piece delivery was excellent
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Szoboszlai lost his footing deep in his own territory, and Rogers pounced to set up Watkins, who slotted past Giorgi Mamardashvili with composure.
It was a gift that Villa gratefully accepted.
Watkins wasn’t finished there.
In the 73rd minute, he was on hand to poke home from close range after Mamardashvili had denied Pau Torres, with the ball falling kindly for the in-form striker.
Emiliano Buendia had rattled the woodwork moments earlier as Villa turned the screw on their beleaguered visitors.
Arne Slot threw on Florian Wirtz and Federico Chiesa in a desperate bid to salvage something, but it was John McGinn who had the final say.
The Scottish midfielder bent home a gorgeous strike from outside the box in the 89th minute.
Arne Slot is under massive pressure at Liverpool
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Van Dijk’s injury-time header was nothing more than a consolation.
Liverpool’s defeat was their 19th of the season across all competitions, and it leaves Arne Slot’s side in a precarious position.
Champions League qualification is no longer in their own hands heading into the final day of the Premier League season.
Bournemouth are lurking just four points behind in sixth place, and crucially they still have a game in hand.
John McGinn, that is beautiful 🚀 pic.twitter.com/5xVYSFPGeH
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 15, 2026
It would be a disastrous conclusion to the campaign if the Reds miss out on Europe’s elite competition.
Mohamed Salah came off the bench as Liverpool searched for a way back, but by the time Van Dijk’s late header went in, many travelling supporters had already departed.
