Aston Villa 4 Liverpool 2
What a momentum builder ahead of the Europa League final. There’s no better way to end your season at home than beating your rivals for the Champions League spots and that’s exactly what Villa did tonight, it took some time but we got the first goal of the evening in the 42nd minute as Digne’s corner was played short with the Frenchman playing the ball inside to Rogers who curled a beauty past Mamardashvili to give Villa the lead heading into half-time. Liverpool struck back early in the second half as Szobozslai’s free-kick went deep to Van Dijk who nodded Liverpool back into the game in the 52nd minute, just five minutes later a slip from Szobozslai gave the ball to Rogers who squared it to Watkins to put Villa back in the lead in a chaotic second half. Villa were on top from there as Buendia hit the woodwork with a brilliant effort just before a corner was played to the edge of the box to Tielemans who’s volley was saved but only to Pau Torres who’s rebound was also saved but this time to Watkins who eventually turned the ball home to put Villa 3-1 up in the 73rd minute, just before we hit the 90th minute Villa added another as the ball was played to McGinn on the right just outside the box who curled yet another beauty past Mamardashvili to put some gloss on the score-line for Villa making it 4-1. Liverpool added a consolation as Van Dijk got another goal from a Szobozslai set-piece heading past Emi Martinez a few minutes before the end, a perfect rehearsal for the Europa League final as Villa look to win their first trophy since 1996.
Is this the team that’s going to start the Europa League final? You’d probably think so with most players having their spot nailed down bar maybe Victor Lindelof in midfield who was subbed off at half-time for Ross Barkley, Villa did look a lot better in the second half with Barkley in midfield so I’d be surprised if Lindelof started in midfield on Wednesday, other than that I think bar any injuries Emery has his team picked already for the game against Freiburg which Villa go into as the big favourites given that Freiburg are 7th in the Bundesliga and have never won a major trophy. The other factor that favours Villa is Unai Emery who has won the Europa League 4 times in the past with Sevilla and Villareal, I don’t see a world where Villa don’t win on Wednesday but you never know. Onto this game tonight I thought Villa where the stronger team throughout creating an abundance of chances along with scoring some beauties which they’ve made a habit of all season, Watkins hitting form before the final is exactly what Emery would have been hoping for and if he continues like this he has to be in Tuchel’s World Cup squad for the summer given how poor England’s back-up for Harry Kane is looking. Morgan Rogers is the other player that impressed tonight in what’s been an up and down season for him scoring his trademark from that left-hand-side where he seems to generate so much power with the inside of his boot leaving the keeper no chance, I wonder is Villa will be able to keep him for next season?
Yet another chastening loss for Liverpool. It’s getting to the point where it’s hard to see Arne Slot as Liverpool manager for next season given the sheer amount of losses he’s suffered this season along with going trophy less after winning the league last season, they don’t even have Champions League football wrapped up yet which is crazy given that they were favourites for the Premier League before a ball was kicked. Liverpool were terrible today and two set-piece goals doesn’t cover up what could have been a much worse score-line for Liverpool and Arne Slot, yet again the only player that comes out with any credibility is Rio Ngumoha who seems to be the only Liverpool player that can inject any pace into the game and he was unlucky not to score hitting the post just after Van Dijk equalised for Liverpool. You’re looking at players like Cody Gakpo, Mac Allister, Szobozslai etc to step up and show some character but yet again they crumble when under any pressure leading to yet another loss and now having to beat Brentford on the final day to secure Champions League football for next season, surely Liverpool don’t miss out on Champions League football for next season?
It’s about time Unai Emery got his flowers. Villa secured Champions League football tonight for the second time under Unai Emery which is important not to underestimate given that Villa didn’t spend that much in the summer compared to other teams at the top end of the table, the only player that wasn’t there last season was Victor Lindelof and he signed on a free last summer after being released by Man United. The rest of Villa’s players that played tonight have been there for years showing just how far Unai Emery has brought this team after Steven Gerrard had them close to the relegation zone, winning the Europa League on Wednesday is the perfect way for Emery to finally have something to give to the Villa fans that have backed him from the very start. Emery has always come in and won something no matter where he goes whether its Sevilla, Villareal or PSG and now with Aston Villa on Wednesday in Istanbul which is arguably Villa’s biggest game for decades given the last trophy they won was the League Cup in 1996, will Emery bring the Europa League back to Villa Park on Wednesday? I think he will.
Is that all the Champions League spots secured? Not quite as Liverpool still have some work to do if results don’t go there way in the next week or so, Bournemouth and Brighton are the two teams to be worried about with the Cherries 4 points behind Liverpool with a game in hand against Man City on Tuesday where they could close the gap to a point with a win. For Brighton a win on Sunday against Leeds would close the gap to Liverpool to two points with one game left so Liverpool could be in trouble if both teams behind them win over the next week, a win against Brentford on the last day secures Champions League football no matter what and if Villa lose on Sunday against City then 6th place would be a Champions League spot given Villa win the Europa League a few days before that. There’s lots of permutations ahead of the final day of the season so I highly doubt Liverpool miss out on Champions League for next season but you never know, a Bournemouth win next Tuesday would add a spanner to the works.