The Holy Trinity: Aston Villa conclusions Champions League clincher against Liverpool

Villa won their last home game of the season, confirming their place back at Europe's top table next season

I’ve been willing to criticise this team when I’ve believed it to be warranted. It’s to their credit that I’ll be completely satisfied when we reach the end of the season next weekend.

Aston Villa still have Wednesday’s Europa League final to win but reaching that stage and getting there with a Champions League place already in the bag makes this an excellent season come what may in Istanbul.

They’ve achieved what they have in a strange way and the first five games will live long in the memory, but Villa have now reached the level of zero complaints when it comes to the season as a whole.

Friday night’s 4-2 win over Liverpool at Villa Park secured the first objective for the season. What a way to set themselves up for one last big push to add the silverware to put 2025/26 over the top.

Here’s your Holy Trinity of match conclusions: