Player ratings as Aston Villa defeat Liverpool to qualify for the Champions League
Ollie Watkins scored twice as Villa confirmed one of their two season objectives with a game to spare
The Champions League is coming back to Villa Park. Jamie Carragher might have noticed if he’d paid any attention to where he was watching Liverpool away this evening.
Aston Villa beat Liverpool 4-2 to move into fourth place and confirm their top-five finish in the Premier League, booking their spot in Europe’s premier club competition in the process.
Villa scored at good times. Liverpool were on top, Villa scored. Liverpool equalised, Villa scored. Liverpool made some sort of noise about going for it, Villa scored. Then scored again.
It could be argued that 4-2 flattered Liverpool and that Virgil van Dijk’s two goals, while sloppy defensively from a Villa point of view, were mere footnotes.
Here are the ratings:
Emiliano Martínez - 6
Poor kick-out after 12 minutes and again five minutes later but his teammates bailed him out. Spilled a shot to the feet of Cody Gakpo, who was offside. Saved much more cleanly from Dominik Szoboszlai after half an hour.
Got off his line quickly on a couple of occasions in the second half and saved well from Federico Chiesa with eight minutes to go.
Matty Cash - 6
Handled his business relatively well in a tough direct duel against Rio Ngumoha with plenty of support from his teammates but the winger was always a threat. One shot and some final passes left a bit to be desired. Got away with a dangerous throw-in to nobody in the middle of the first half but generally very reliable with the ball.
Too soft for Liverpool’s equaliser. Given a ridiculous yellow card.
Ezri Konsa - 7
Good feet under pressure to turn Gakpo in his own box in the first half. Competent with the ball and rarely called into serious individual defensive action. Took up residence in the capacious head of Alexis Mac Allister in the final quarter of the game.
Pau Torres - 7
Leant on his reading of the game to marshal the back line. Won some important headers in the Villa penalty area. Occasionally able to play neat passes through or into midfield. Superb standing tackle to stop a Szoboszlai run on the hour. Sensational clipped pass in behind for Lucas Digne in the middle of the second half.
Lucas Digne - 7
Covered well to clear a cross from the Liverpool left early in the game and demonstrated solid one-on-one defending on the left. Played a big part in the goal that put Villa in front and claimed the assist as a result. Battled his cœur out with Villa in the lead.
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Victor Lindelöf - 6
Key to Villa playing out with his back to goal, linking with Konsa and turning the ball out for Cash on the right. Useful aerial presence at the base of the midfield but was withdrawn at half time.
Youri Tielemans - 6
First proper pass was a pinpoint clip over the top but he wasn’t able to get involved much in possession as Liverpool started to control the game in the middle of the first half. Started to come into the game at 1-0, looking after the ball and coming up with some strong running in possession. Longer passing was a mixed bag.
John McGinn - 8
Seemed to have all the time in the world on the ball. Started quickly to win the ball back from a sleeping opponent in the second minute. Seemed to have all the time in the world on the ball and used it well consistently. Shared the 1-0 pre-assist with Austin MacPhee. Curled a stunning fourth into the top corner with two minutes to go.
Morgan Rogers - 7
Strong run and clever supply for Ollie Watkins after an early turnover. Not decisive enough on a couple of occasions in the final third – that can happen with an instinctive creative player but it has to come with something special more often than it has of late. We got it here in the form of a superbly taken opening goal just before the break.
Sent in a few smart crosses that were dangerous more than precise, and ruthlessly punished Szoboszlai’s slip for 2-1.
Emi Buendía - 7
Full of graft out of possession and was able to win the ball and fouls on the counter-press. Defended resolutely in front of the Villa goal at set plays. Clever through ball for Watkins that led to a good chance in the first half. Hit the bar and post in one with a wonderful shot with 20 minutes left. Substituted late.
Ollie Watkins - 9
Had his first shot on target on the turn in the second minute. Skinned Virgil van Dijk but blazed over a few minutes later. Limited involvement in the first half after a busy start but held the ball up nicely when Villa got into the attacking third. Smuggled in Villa’s second goal after Szoboszlai slipped.
Could have had a hat-trick even before he tucked in Villa’s third goal from close range to crown a terrific second half.
Substitutes
Ross Barkley (for Lindelöf, HT) - On at half time and slotted straight into the midfield two. Looked after the ball nicely with his first involvement. Looked capable of creating something when he was able to get the ball out in front of him and run. 6
Ian Maatsen (for Buendía, 84) - Late substitute. N/A
Douglas Luiz (for Tielemans, 90) - Late substitute. N/A
Jadon Sancho (for McGinn, 90) -Late substitute. N/A