Aston Villa thump sorry Liverpool to pile more pressure on Arne Slot - 5 talking points

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Aston Villa booked their spot in next season's Champions League as Ollie Watkins ' second-half brace helped down Liverpool - who will be sweating on their own spot in the top five after another poor display.

Watkins' doubled ensured Unai Emery's men warmed up for next week's Europa League final in the best possible way. Morgan Rogers had given Villa the lead shortly before half-time before Virgil van Dijk got Liverpool back on level terms.

John McGinn scored a stunning fourth late on to add even more gloss to a memorable night before Van Dijk got his second of the night to add some respectability to the scoreline.

Rogers produced the game's first moment of magic to open the scoring. A corner routine left him with the ball on the left of the box and the playmaker opened his body up to bend home the first goal of the night.

Seven minutes into the second-half and Van Dijk headed home to level the scoreline, despite a VAR review. The Dutchman nodded in from a free-kick, but replays showed a slight push on Matty Cash, but it wasn't enough to chalk it off as the visitors gained parity.

Minutes later and Rio Ngumoha was centimetres away from giving the Reds the lead as the teenager cut in from the left before bending his shot, which was good enough to beat Emi Martinez, but not the post.

Villa quickly recovered to take the lead after a routine throw-in to Dominik Szoboszlai saw the Hungarian slip, presenting the ball to Rogers and one pass to Watkins saw the Englishman finish first time.

The hosts had numerous chances to extend their lead, but were wasteful with their final pass letting them down whilst the woodwork denied Emi Buendia.

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Watkins' second made the game safe for Emery's side as the striker tapped home from four yards. McGinn would bend home a stunning fourth into the top corner with minutes remaining before Van Dijk scored his second minutes later. Here's five talking points from Villa Park.

For all they've recovered from their midseason slump, which saw them lose nine in 12, to look like they should secure a Champions League spot, actually watching Liverpool perform leaves you with plenty of questions. Slot himself stands in the dugout and you wonder whether he has the answer.

Even their goal on Friday night came from a set piece with their attacking ideas limited beyond the brief individual moment of quality provided by Ngumoha, the player in red with the least experience. Defensively they were lacking - and were lucky to only ship three. The problems that were exposed in the Autumn very much still exist, and it will have to be a brutally honest summer if Liverpool are to come back stronger.

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There's a reason Rogers is involved in the conversation about who should be England's chief playmaking option this summer. The Villa ace continues to go from strength to strength and is playing with a confidence that befits an individual who can take centre stage for their country.

Rogers has stepped up in numerous games, guiding Villa to victory, and he was the man to unlock the deadlock at Villa Park. He was the central cog of a corner routine that left him with the ball and a chance to bend in the opener - an opportunity he duly took. His irresistible rise shows no sign of stopping.

Credit to Emery, who played his full team for Friday night's clash. Albeit he had little choice with their top five spot not yet secured. But there's no doubt that there is an eye on next Wednesday when Villa face Freiburg in the Europa League final.

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Villa are one of the English clubs to win the European Cup, doing so in 1982. That was a different era, but claiming the Europa League would further add to Emery's legacy in the competition and give this period in the club's history even more kudos with a trophy to boast about. If they replicate this performance, they'll be tough to stop.

It was on the 24th minute when the Sky Sports camera panned to one Harvey Elliott, sitting in the stands. Watching, rather than playing, games has become standard for the young playmaker who made a loan switch to Villa Park in the summer off the back of being named the best player at the U21 Euros.

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Usually that would be the springboard for a huge move, and Elliott knew he may struggle to be a regular at Liverpool . Amid talk of RB Leipzig he ended up playing in the Midlands, but has rarely been used due to a purchase option that would be activated if he played a certain number of games. He might only be 23, but this is a year wasted.

The Cherries will have been eyeing this fixture for a weeks given their rise, knowing full well one of Liverpool or Villa had to drop points. Andoni Iraola is desperate to go out on a high and that high could yet end with Champions League football, albeit their task is still a tough one.

Whilst Liverpool dropped points on Friday night, Bournemouth's chance to close in involves them playing Manchester City . Their impact on the league table will be stark, the opportunity exists for them to land European qualification, but also hand Arsenal the Premier League title.

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