Watkins Proves Critics Wrong As Aston Villa Clinch Champions League Qualification

Aston Villa secured a 4-2 victory over Liverpool that confirmed a place in next season’s Champions League and moved Aston Villa above Liverpool into fourth. Ollie Watkins scored twice, Morgan Rogers and John McGinn netted once each, while Virgil van Dijk struck both Liverpool goals as Aston Villa sealed qualification with one league game still to play.

The result means Aston Villa are guaranteed to feature in UEFA’s leading club competition regardless of what happens in Wednesday’s Europa League final against Freiburg. Aston Villa cannot now be caught in the race for fourth, so the Europa League showpiece will decide only the chance of lifting a trophy, not access to next season’s Champions League.

Unai Emery reached two milestones on the same night. Emery became the first manager to guide Aston Villa into the European Cup or Champions League in two separate seasons, and this victory was the 600th win of Emery’s managerial career. Of those 600 wins, 107 have come with Aston Villa, matching Emery’s total with Valencia.

"Fantastic, the match was very important for us because the priority was the Premier League," Emery told Sky Sports. "We faced Liverpool and tested ourselves. It was a tough match in the first half, but the second half was fantastic. I am grateful for the supporters. Champions League, this is something amazing. Before the match, I was worried about the level we had to play at, but I am so happy with how we did it. Now we focus on the final. We have to focus 100% and be ready. To play finals is very difficult. We are going to enjoy it."

Watkins delivered another decisive performance and used the stage to answer criticism that followed a slow start to the campaign. Seven of Watkins’ eight Premier League goals against Liverpool have now come at Villa Park, and no player has scored more home goals against Liverpool in the competition, with Watkins level alongside Thierry Henry and Sergio Aguero.

The forward is also enjoying one of the most productive seasons by an English player at a Premier League club in all competitions. Watkins has contributed 19 goals and five assists, giving 24 goal involvements. That is one more than Morgan Rogers, who has 13 goals and 10 assists for 23 contributions across competitions.

"An amazing achievement. What we have done this season after the start we had – a poor start where we hardly scored and didn't win in six games – there was a lot of doubt and negativity around the club and the feeling in camp," Watkins told Sky Sports. "We've turned it around with some big performances. Amazing to play in the Champions League, a lot of amazing teams, football that everyone watches and the competition that everyone is striving to play in. I had a slow start to the season, picking up a few niggles on international duty and then being left out of the England squad. I think it gave me that fire in my belly to come back and prove to people what I can do. A lot of people had written me off this season, and I use that as motivation to show them that I can be back to my best,scoring and helping the team. I think I've shown that for the last few games. I'm taking each game as it comes. Being in the Europa League final is an amazing achievement. Excitement around the club, everyone is buzzing, and we'll leave it all on the pitch on Wednesday."

Watkins’ comments also reflect the wider picture at Aston Villa this season. The team failed to win any of the opening six games and struggled to score, which created tension around the squad. Since then, key results in the Premier League and in Europe have changed the atmosphere and given Aston Villa momentum heading towards the Europa League final.

With Champions League football already secured and a Europa League final ahead against Freiburg, Aston Villa now approach the closing days of the season with confidence. Watkins, Emery and the squad have clear targets still in play, but the win over Liverpool ensures the club’s domestic league work already delivers a major reward.