Aston Villa made a last second attempt to hijack the Leeds star in a critical situation

Aston Villa enjoyed a good send-off ahead of the Europa League final as a 4-2 win over Liverpool sealed their place in next season’s Champions League and left the Reds sweating over their qualification.

Ollie Watkins’ double, which will surely guarantee his place in England’s World Cup squad, and superb goals from Morgan Rogers and John McGinn ensured Unai Emery’s men will finish in the top five of the Premier League with a game to spare.

They can now head to Istanbul for Wednesday’s European final against Freiburg knowing that their domestic ambitions have been fulfilled, allowing them to focus on winning a first continental trophy in 44 years.

It’s another great achievement for Villa, whose progress under Emery shows no sign of stopping and they will be playing in Europe’s top competition for the second time in three years.

“Very good. Very good. The reaction of the fans, very, very, and the players, very, very grateful,” Emery told Villa’s official channels.

“And this success is really good. Europe, Champions League, 62 points, we are testing Liverpool today. Since (I arrived) here, we have not beaten them, today is the first game we beat them.

“It’s really good, and, rightly so. Of course, it’s a struggle. Yes, it’s a difficult game in the first half, the second is better. But the way we came back in the Champions League is very nice.

“I think our development is logical, playing Europe, (it is) very logical to play the Champions League. Then to compete as we did last year, or as we did this year is a very good thing, because it is very difficult.

“Now we are 37 games, which we are playing today. And here at home, the way we did today the last game (was) really good. We were very smart, the way we enjoyed the atmosphere we have here.”

And with a place in Europe’s top flight now secured, NSWE can begin to look in the summer to the best way to support their manager, with a deal for an experienced midfielder on the way.

Aston Villa plan to hijack Leeds

Indeed, according to reports in Portugal, via Sport Witness, Villa are eyeing a last-ditch effort to sign Sporting CP midfielder Hidemasa Morita, who is out of contract this summer.

Leeds have been considered frontrunners for the 31-year-old midfielder for a long time and submitted an official offer last week for the free agent.

However, O Jogo now claims that Villa and Brighton have joined the race to sign the Japanese international under Leeds’ noses.

Morita has made 30 appearances in Liga Portugal this campaign and also made 11 appearances in the Champions League, so his fitness and experience could prove vital for Emery in four competitions next season.

A defensive midfielder by trade, he can also play forward as a box-to-box option and has provided five assists in all competitions this term.