"Let's Get the Anthem On": Aston Villa Thrash Liverpool to Seal Champions League Return as Watkins Double Sinks Slot's Side

15 May 2026 | Villa Park, Birmingham

BIRMINGHAM, England – The Champions League anthem blared over the speakers. The Holte End roared. And Aston Villa, for the first time in their history, had qualified for Europe's elite competition in the most emphatic fashion possible.

"Let's get the anthem on," came the message over the public address system. Villa had just dismantled Liverpool 4-2, leapfrogging Arne Slot's side to seal a Champions League place with a stirring victory that exposed every vulnerability in the visitors' meek title defence.

Ollie Watkins scored twice, Morgan Rogers curled in a stunning opener, and captain John McGinn completed the rout from the edge of the box. Virgil van Dijk headed both Liverpool goals, but they were mere consolations on a night of Villa dominance.

"We've Just Made This Club a Champions League Club Again"

"It's a great performance and a great way to end the season at Villa Park," captain John McGinn said afterwards. "We've just made this club a Champions League club again, and it allows us to be excited and enjoy the game on Wednesday."

Wednesday's game is the Europa League final in Istanbul – Villa's first European final since 1982. But on Saturday night, they celebrated as if they had already won a trophy.

"We've got a chance to get some silverware, but the fact we're in the Champions League is an unbelievable achievement," McGinn added. "It'll be the pinnacle of my Aston Villa career. Hopefully I'll get my hands on that trophy."

Rogers Opens the Account: A Corner Routine Masterclass

The galling thing for Liverpool was that Villa's opener stemmed from another corner – the 20th goal Liverpool have conceded from set pieces this season, a league high. Lucas Digne released Rogers, presenting him the stage to exhibit the game's first real piece of quality. The young midfielder curled the ball into the far top corner of Giorgi Mamardashvili's goal. Villa Park erupted.

Rogers embraced Austin MacPhee, Villa's set-piece coach, after the goal – a testament to the meticulous planning that has transformed Villa into a threat from dead-ball situations.

Van Dijk's Controversial Equaliser – Then Watkins Takes Over

Liverpool improved after the restart. Rio Ngumoha burned past Matty Cash and, from the byline, sent the ball into the box. Villa stopped, but Liverpool stayed alive. A couple of minutes later, all eyes were on referee Chris Kavanagh when the big screens indicated a VAR review after Van Dijk planted a header past Martínez.

Van Dijk gave Cash a shove before meeting Szoboszlai's free-kick at the edge of the six-yard box. The Liverpool defender wagged his index finger, insisting there was no foul. The goal was awarded. Liverpool were level.

Then Villa struck back. A rampant Watkins hunted for his goal, and when Szoboszlai slipped after receiving Kerkez's throw-in, Rogers was first on the scene to tee up Watkins, who applied a clever finish. Watkins wheeled away, patting the crest on his chest. Villa led 2-1.

Liverpool's goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili gets a touch to the ball during Aston Villa's dominant 4-2 victory at Villa Park.

Watkins' Second: So Simple, So Devastating

Watkins' second was so simple – tapping in after Mamardashvili saved from Pau Torres. Again, it came from another corner. Liverpool's set-piece vulnerability had been exposed once more. Van Dijk grimaced as Watkins conducted the Holte End, celebrating in front of the adoring Villa faithful.

Villa were rampant. Emi Buendía went close himself, stepping inside Kerkez to rattle the crossbar with a bending effort. Liverpool were clinging on.

McGinn Caps the Rout: "Up the Villa!"

McGinn completed the scoring in the 89th minute, a crisp finish from the edge of the box that sent Villa Park into delirium. At full time, Unai Emery – somehow left off the Premier League's six-strong manager of the season shortlist – yelled into a microphone: "Up the Villa!" And then: "We're going to Istanbul!"

It was a rare break from Emery's cold laser focus. After the final whistle, he shook hands with Slot and clenched his left fist in celebration as he marched towards the tunnel.

A delighted Ollie Watkins after scoring Aston Villa's third goal in their emphatic 4-2 win over Liverpool.

Liverpool's Woes: Vulnerable, Stodgy, and Heading for the Exit

Liverpool's joy was in sharp contrast. Their players sloped off the pitch. When Slot walked towards the away end in the moments after full time, it had long since emptied – many travelling supporters missing Van Dijk's second headed goal in stoppage time, a mere footnote.

Cody Gakpo, a blunt force as a No 9, had a goal ruled out for offside. Dominik Szoboszlai sent a swerving effort at goal from 30 yards, but Martínez opted for safety-first. Liverpool were stodgy, a pale imitation of the team that dazzled en route to the title last season.

As one fan put it on social media: "First off, well played Villa. Tonight should be about them. Second, the five players Liverpool are missing: James Milner, Jordan Henderson, Sadio Mané, Pele, Bobby bloody Moore."

Haaland Reaches 26 as City Cruise Past Brentford

Elsewhere, Erling Haaland scored his 26th goal of the Premier League season in Manchester City's win over Brentford. The Norwegian striker continues to lead the golden boot race, with Igor Thiago of Brentford his nearest challenger on 22 goals.

Erling Haaland scores his 26th goal of the Premier League season in Manchester City's win over Brentford.

The Golden Boot Race: Haaland Leads the Pack

What Comes Next?

Villa will face Freiburg in the Europa League final on Wednesday in Istanbul – a chance to win their first trophy since 1996. But regardless of that result, they have already achieved something remarkable: Champions League football at Villa Park.

"Let's get the anthem on," the message said. For Villa fans, it will be playing on repeat all summer.

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