Aston Villa 3-3 Liverpool LIVE REACTION: Villans move closer to Champions League place after incredible late comeback
Aston Villa fell just short of a special night at Villa Park on Monday as they came back from behind to draw 3-3 with Liverpool.
Unai Emery’s side needed to win to secure their place in the Champions League next season but they will be delighted with a draw in the end.
A freak error from Emi Martinez opened the scoring for the visitors as the goalkeeper dropped the ball and tapped it into his own net unchallenged.
Youri Tielemans then responded with an equaliser but Cody Gakpo regained the lead with a tap-in following a long VAR check.
Jarell Quansah extended Liverpool’s advantage early in the second half before Ollie Watkins had a goal ruled for offside.
The game seemed to be over as time ticked into the final 10 minutes, however, substitute Jhon Duran scored a quickfire brace to make it 3-3.
It was then a frantic end to a frantic game at Villa Park but the hosts couldn’t score a fourth and were forced to settle with a point.
They weren’t able to get the job done by themselves but they will confirm a top-four finish should Tottenham lose to Manchester City tomorrow.
You can recap all of the action in our live blog below...
Aston Villa 3-3 Liverpool: REACTION
That's all for our live coverage of Aston Villa's thrilling 3-3 draw with Liverpool at Villa Park!
It was a chaotic night of football and one that ended in superb fashion thanks to Jhon Duran's late double.
Unai Emery's side missed out on the chance to qualify for the Champions League tonight but it did move them one step closer.
You can read more reaction to the game below...
Aston Villa 3-3 Liverpool: REACTION
Jurgen Klopp admitted his Liverpool side 'opened the door' for Aston Villa as they let their lead slip in the last five minutes.
"It got away from us," Klopp told Sky Sports. "We played really good football. We were really good, played a lot of good stuff and caused a lot of problems.
"Before we changed, we gave them too many chances. It was very intense for the boys. They created too much. They were too often in our box and we made the changes.
"Then we made a mistake. It happens but in that moment, it opens the door.
"They scored an equaliser and I don't even know how. The character from the boys tonight was outstanding in our situation. We wanted to win the game.
"In the moment, when we gave away the 3-2, that was really tricky. That's it, that's the story of the game."
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Aston Villa 3-3 Liverpool: REACTION
Liverpool have conceded 2+ goals in four consecutive Premier League games for the first time since April/May 2014.
Only between February-April 1999 have the Reds had a longer such run in the competition (5 in a row).
It's not the ideal way Jurgen Klopp would have wanted to end his tenure at the club.
Aston Villa 3-3 Liverpool: REACTION
Youri Tielemans has also given his thoughts on the game.
"We created chances but we didn't score," he said post-match.
"We got the draw and fought right until the end and that's the most importnat thing.
"Unfortunately we couldn't score more, we felt like we deserved more in the first half. It's unlucky but we'll take the draw.
"We're in that fourth position and we want to keep it. We just want to thank the fans, you can feel the atmosphere at the club.
"The fans have been amazing all season and it's no surprise we have an amazing home record this season."
Aston Villa 3-3 Liverpool: REACTION
Aston Villa's John McGinn has reacted to the thrilling 3-3 draw.
He told Sky Sports: "It's a brilliant effort towards the end.
"We got a bit of luck. It's been a tough few weeks with lads coming back and playing through the pain barrier. This place got us going.
"Big Jhon [Duran] is a bit nuts at times, he's a nightmare to play against. I don't think it's been difficult for us as players.
"There's some of us that have never been close to the Champions League in our life.
"The manager has a no-excuse mentality. People have written us off and we've floated under the radar.
"We'll have our Man City tops on tomorrow."
Aston Villa 3-3 Liverpool: REACTION
Tonight was just the second time Liverpool have failed to win a Premier League game having led by 2+ goals as late as the 84th minute.
The last time their did so was in a 3-3 draw against Southampton in August 2000.
This was also the latest Aston Villa have ever trailed by 2+ goals in a Premier League game in which they've managed to avoid defeat.
Aston Villa 3-3 Liverpool: REACTION
Jurgen Klopp thanks the travelling fans at Villa Park.
That was his final away game as Liverpool boss and what a game it was.
He would have wanted his side to hang on but he seemed in good spirits as he grinned at the away end post-match.
Aston Villa 3-3 Liverpool: REACTION
Alexis Mac Allister has been dribbled past 66 times in the Premier League this season (4 times against Aston Villa).
That is more than any other Liverpool player in a single campaign across the last eight seasons.
Leon Bailey and Moussa Diaby caused the Reds midfield and defence so many problems tonight.
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Aston Villa 3-3 Liverpool: REACTION
Jhon Durán is the first player to net a Premier League brace against Liverpool as a substitute since Leroy Sane for Manchester City in September 2017.
What an impact from the 20-year-old who scored two in the final five minutes of the game to make it 3-3.
Credit: AFP
Aston Villa 3-3 Liverpool: REACTION
Aston Villa has missed the chance to qualify for the Champions League but they're still in a great position.
That draw means Tottenham have to win both of their last two games to finish in the top four.
If they lose to Manchester City tomorrow, it will mean Villa are confirmed to finish in fourth place.
If Spurs win their last two, Villa will still just need to beat Crystal Palace on the last day to get the job done.
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Aston Villa 3-3 Liverpool: FULL TIME
What. A. Game.
That was an incredible night of football!
Aston Villa come back from 3-1 down in the final six minutes to draw 3-3 thanks to a brace from Jhon Duran off the bench.
The result means they miss out on securing their Champions League place tonight, but strengthens their position in the top four.
Aston Villa 3-3 Liverpool
90+6' Liverpool are now pushing at the other end!
Jones is unable to get the ball out of his feet to score a winner before Salah leads another attack!
The Reds have a late corner...
CHANCE! Aston Villa 3-3 Liverpool
90+3' WHAT A SAVE BY ALISSON!
DIABY IS DENIED IN STOPPAGE TIME!
WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?!
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Aston Villa 3-3 Liverpool
90+1' THERE WILL BE NINE ADDED MINUTES!
One more goal for Aston Villa will book their place in the Champions League next season!
The game looked to be over! But it's completely turned on it's head!
Wow!
GOAL! Aston Villa 3-3 Liverpool: Jhon Duran
88' WOWWWW! VILLA ARE LEVEL!
DURAN SCORES AGAIN AND THE STADIUM IS ROCKING!
IT HITS HIM ON THE KNEE AND GOES OVER ALISSON!
Danny Murphy live on talkSPORT: "Would you believe it!
"He tries to control it and it goes over Alisson!"
Aston Villa 2-3 Liverpool
86' Unai Emery is booked after the goal!
It seems he was on the pitch and then cautioned!
Danny Murphy live on talkSPORT: "What is Emery doing?"
GOAL! Aston Villa 2-3 Liverpool: Jhon Duran
84' MAYBE SOME HOPE FOR VILLA!
Liverpool give the ball away in their own half and Duran pounces, finishing low past Alisson!
That is a gift!
CHANCE! Aston Villa 1-3 Liverpool
82' Alexander-Arnold forces a save out of Martinez!
On the half-volley, he lines up a powerful effort and it's kept out by a strong right hand from the Villa goalkeeper.
From the corner, the hosts eventually clear.
Aston Villa 1-3 Liverpool
80' Zaniolo does come off and is straight down the tunnel.
Duran is on and so is Chambers.
The defender replaces Luiz for the final stages.
Aston Villa 1-3 Liverpool
78' Zaniolo has gone down and holds his foot.
He's just come back from an injury which is worrying.
It seems he will be coming off for Duran in a moment.
Aston Villa 1-3 Liverpool
76' Salah is fouled by Luiz.
It's another decision that angers the home crowd.
Their frustrations are showing as they near a defeat on what was supposed to be a special night.
Danny Murphy live on talkSPORT: "It's been a chaotic game.
"And now Nunez is on!"
Aston Villa 1-3 Liverpool
74' Liverpool have made a quadruple change.
Gakpo, Elliott, Diaz and Endo come off.
It's Nunez, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai and Jones coming on.
Aston Villa 1-3 Liverpool
71' McGinn was booked moments after the miss.
And we're now into the final 20 minutes at Villa Park.
As things stand, Quansah's first Premier League goal will be securing Liverpool the three points.
CHANCE! Aston Villa 1-3 Liverpool
70' Alisson saves from Zaniolo!
The substitute is free in the box and he gets a shot away but can't beat the Liverpool goalkeeper!
What a chance for Villa!
Danny Murphy live on talkSPORT: "He should have scored, it wasn't a finish of conviction."
CHANCE! Aston Villa 1-3 Liverpool
68' Another chance is wasted by Diaby!
Watkins slides him in down the right and he drives towards goal with the angle narrowing with every touch.
The Frenchman then shoots but hits it straight into the side-netting.
Danny Murphy live on talkSPORT: "Diaby is too rash, not composed enough... it was a little bit frantic from him."
