Aston Villa clinched UEFA Champions League qualification as Ollie Watkins scored twice in a deserved 4-2 victory over Liverpool.

Both teams knew a win would secure a top-five Premier League finish, and it was Villa who got the job done, five days before their UEFA Europa League final against Freiburg.

Morgan Rogers’ curling shot following a set-piece routine put Villa ahead in the 42nd minute, although Virgil van Dijk’s header pulled Liverpool level early in the second half.

Dominik Szoboszlai’s slip allowed Watkins to swiftly restore the home side’s advantage, and the Villa striker added another poacher’s finish – his eighth Premier League goal against Liverpool – to create some breathing room in the 73rd minute.

John McGinn added a sublime fourth strike for Villa, with Van Dijk’s second goal in second-half stoppage time proving to be a mere consolation for the well-beaten visitors.

Depending on results elsewhere, Liverpool may now need to beat Brentford on the final matchday to be certain of joining Villa in the Champions League.

How the match unfolded

Villa started brightly, although the offside flag spared Emiliano Martinez’s blushes when he spilled Ryan Gravenberch’s attempt and Cody Gakpo netted the loose ball.

Szoboszlai’s swerving effort was then parried by Martinez, but Villa went ahead when, after a clever short-corner exchange, Rogers curled past Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Liverpool levelled in the 52nd minute as Van Dijk headed Szoboszlai’s free-kick into the bottom-right corner.

Parity only lasted five minutes. After the offside flag denied Watkins, and Rio Ngumoha rattled the post for Liverpool, Szoboszlai’s slip in the left-back position allowed Rogers to tee up Watkins for a simple finish.

Liverpool could not get out of their penalty area as Emiliano Buendia hit the woodwork, and Villa were 3-1 up after Watkins tucked home at the third attempt after Mamardashvili made a double save to deny Youri Tielemans and Pau Torres.

That was the 20th time this season Slot’s side has conceded from a set-piece (excluding penalties), which is the most of any side in the Premier League.

McGinn put the result beyond doubt by shaping a wonderful strike into the top-left corner in the 88th minute, followed by another Van Dijk header in the second minute of second-half stoppage time.

The Dutchman has now scored more headed goals for Liverpool in the Premier League than any other player (22), but his effort came too late to set up a Liverpool fightback.

This all-important win for Villa was Unai Emery’s 600th win as a manager, and if he can bring that tally to 601 on Wednesday against Freiburg, the Spaniard will lift his fifth Europa League trophy.