Duran double keeps Villa in the hunt for CL spot

BIRMINGHAM, England — Jhon Duran struck twice in the final five minutes to salvage a 3-3 draw for Aston Villa against Liverpool on Monday, but it fell short of guaranteeing a place in next season's Champions League.

Villa looked set for a fourth consecutive defeat in all competitions, as an Emiliano Martinez own goal, followed by strikes from Cody Gakpo and Jarell Quansah put the visitors on course for victory in Jurgen Klopp's final away game in charge of Liverpool.

But, substitute Duran's double edged Unai Emery's men closer to Europe's top table for the first time since 1983.

Victory for title-chasing Manchester City at Spurs on Tuesday would secure Villa's place in the top four.

But, it is stumbling over the finish line, as the strain of combining its bid for Champions League soccer next season alongside a run to the Europa Conference League semifinals has taken its toll.

"A brilliant effort toward the end," said Villa captain John McGinn.

"It's been a tough couple of weeks. The manager won't admit it, but the boys are out on their feet, giving absolutely everything.

"We'll have our Man City tops on tomorrow night."

Martinez's return to fitness, after missing last weekend's 1-0 defeat at Brighton, should have been a major boost for the home side.

But, the Argentine World Cup winner's howler handed Liverpool the opening goal after just two minutes, as he fumbled Harvey Elliott's deflected cross into his own net.

Villa did respond positively, as Ollie Watkins burned Quansah for pace and pulled back a cross for Youri Tielemans to equalize.

However, momentum swung back in Liverpool's favor in an end-to-end encounter when Gakpo tapped in after Martinez could only parry Joe Gomez's effort.

Villa should have been level again before halftime when Diego Carlos, with goal at his mercy, somehow turned the ball wide after nudging Watkins out of the way.

Instead, it was 3-1 down just three minutes into the second half, as Quansah rose above the fray to head in an Elliott freekick.

'Moments of quality'

However, there was still time for Villa to mount a memorable comeback as Liverpool's own defensive weaknesses were laid bare.

"It got away from us tonight, there's no doubt about that," said Klopp.

"We made a mistake for the 3-2, and, in that moment, we opened the door for them, the atmosphere was there and they scored the equalizer."

Watkins was denied his 20th Premier League goal of the season after Leon Bailey ran offside in the build-up, having cut across the run of Moussa Diaby.

After an angry exchange of words between Bailey and Watkins, it was the latter who was guilty of getting in Douglas Luiz's way when the Brazilian had a clear sight of goal.

Had it not been for an injury to substitute Nicolo Zaniolo, Duran may not even have entered the field.

But the Colombian produced a stunning finale, as he pounced on a mistake from Alexis Mac Allister to drill home from the edge of the box.

Duran did not know much about his second, as Diaby's pass ricocheted into the net off his thigh, but Hollywood star and Villa fan Tom Hanks was one of the 40,000 who did not care.

"Big Jhon is a bit nuts," added McGinn. "Sometimes, he's a nightmare to have in your team, but he's got moments of quality."

Only a brilliant save from Alisson Becker denied Diaby a winner in stoppage time.

A point for Liverpool may be meaningless in its quest to win the title, as wins for Manchester City and Arsenal over the weekend mathematically ended any chance of Klopp departing as a Premier League winner.

Yet, it could still be significant in the title race, as it keeps Tottenham's chances of Champions League soccer alive ahead of City's trip to north London on Tuesday.

Even if Spurs spring a huge surprise, Villa's destiny will still be in its own hands when it visits the in-form Crystal Palace on the final day of the season on Sunday.

Villa's superior eight-goal difference means that a draw at Palace should be enough for a top four finish, even if Tottenham wins its two final matches against City and the already-relegated Sheffield United.

AFP