Aston Villa secured Champions League qualification and left Liverpool anxiously waiting to clinch a top-five Premier League finish following a thrilling 4-2 win at Villa Park.

Ollie Watkins' second-half brace was decisive as the Europa League finalists ensured they will return to UEFA's elite competition on the back of their league position, regardless of how they fare against Freiburg in Istanbul next week.

Both teams knew a victory would get the job done, but it was Villa who made the brighter start, even if they had the offside flag to thank when Cody Gakpo pounced on some suspect goalkeeping from Emiliano Martinez to tap home.

Villa struck following an excellent corner routine in the 42nd minute, as Lucas Digne exchanged passes with John McGinn before finding Morgan Rogers, who curled beyond Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Liverpool equalised in the 52nd minute via a back-post header from Virgil van Dijk, and they then enjoyed a brief spell of positivity as Rio Ngumoha hit the base of the post.

But Aston Villa re-established their lead within five minutes as Dominik Szoboszlai's slip gifted possession to Rogers, who teed up Watkins for a simple finish.

After Emiliano Buendia also hit the post, Watkins added another poacher's finish in the 73rd minute, tucking past Mamardashvili after the Liverpool goalkeeper did well to thwart Youri Tielemans and Pau Torres.

McGinn added further gloss with a pinpoint strike into the top-left corner in the 88th minute, and even though another Van Dijk header made the scoreline slightly more respectable for Liverpool in stoppage time, there was no way back for Arne Slot's men.

Depending on results elsewhere in the coming days, they may now have to beat Brentford on the final matchday to be sure of joining Villa in the Champions League.

Data Debrief: Watkins haunts Liverpool again, Reds' defence hits new low

Watkins has now scored eight Premier League goals against Liverpool, seven of which have come at Villa Park.

No player has scored more home goals versus the Reds in the competition, with Thierry Henry and Sergio Aguero also scoring seven.

Liverpool have now suffered 19 defeats this season across all competitions. Since they were last promoted to the top flight in 1962, only in 1992-93 (20) have the Reds suffered more defeats in a campaign (also 19 in 2004-05 and 2009-10).  

And they have conceded 52 goals in the Premier League this term, with this the first time they have ever shipped a half-century in a single campaign in the competition. 

Villa had fewer shots than Liverpool (14 to 16) but edged the expected goals (xG) battle by 1.91 to 1.55, as Unai Emery became the first Villa manager to lead them to the European Cup or Champions League in two separate seasons.