Aston Villa win the Champions League battle and leave Liverpool’s season at breaking point
Aston Villa 4-2 Liverpool: Unai Emery’s side secured their place in the Champions League next season while Arne Slot’s men could potentially miss out on the competition entirely
The only previous time Unai Emery had beaten Liverpool was in a Europa League final. As, a decade later, he ended a wait for a second, he set Aston Villa up perfectly to emulate his Sevilla side in their continental exploits. He may also end up consigning Liverpool to the competition that has defined him, the Europa League.
But there were reasons why the Champions League anthem was played after the final whistle. Villa will return to the European elite. “Champions League, this is something amazing,” said Emery.
Villa may qualify for it twice in five days. Liverpool, falling apart amid an onslaught, may not at all. A 19th defeat of the season was among their grimmest, and not merely for the potential consequences.
“Damaging,” conceded Arne Slot . There was a cruelty, too, for one of the few who should be exempted from blame for this sorry season. Dominik Szoboszlai recorded two assists at Villa Park, taking his tally for the season to 12, but he was involved in three goals, and the most memorable was not scored by Liverpool.
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