Aston Villa sealed qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League with a 4-2 victory over Liverpool at Villa Park, piling pressure on the visitors’ hopes of securing a place in Europe’s elite competition.

A second-half brace from Ollie Watkins, along with goals from Morgan Rogers and John McGinn, ensured fourth-placed Villa claimed one of the Premier League’s five Champions League spots.

Liverpool, currently fifth, face uncertainty heading into the final weekend, with AFC Bournemouth and Brighton & Hove Albion still mathematically able to overtake them.

Villa had another route to qualification via the upcoming Europa League final against SC Freiburg, but Unai Emery’s side removed any doubt with a dominant home display.

Liverpool saw an early effort from Cody Gakpo ruled out for offside, while Emiliano Martínez denied Dominik Szoboszlai from distance before Villa struck first through Rogers just before halftime.

Virgil van Dijk equalised after the break, but Watkins restored Villa’s lead following a Szoboszlai slip and added his second in the 73rd minute after saves from Giorgi Mamardashvili.

McGinn curled in a late fourth before Van Dijk scored again in stoppage time, as Villa secured their place in the Champions League and Liverpool were left needing a result in their final game to confirm qualification.