Aston Villa fans were left despondent once again after Diego Carlos somehow missed from less than two yards out against Liverpool.
Villa fell 1-0 down within the second minute of their crucial clash for Champions League football due to Emiliano Martinez’s own-goal, and were also guilty of leaving their shooting boots at home.
After Youri Tielemans fired Villa back on level terms, Liverpool regained the lead through Cody Gakpo, but Unai Emery’s side then had an excellent chance to equalise for the second time.
Centre-back Carlos missed from inches out though, with Leon Bailey’s low ball across the face of goal finding the defender only for his left foot to take it wide instead of into the goal right in front of him.
“It’s almost impossible to miss,” Joe Shennan said on commentary for talkSPORT, with Danny Murphy adding: “That’s the difference between the best players and the world and those just below.
“The best players in the world don’t miss these.”
Villa are four points ahead of Tottenham and can qualify for the Champions League with a win against the Reds ahead of the final day of the season.
Their final fixture comes against a rejuvenated Crystal Palace who have won five of their last six games.
However, their task was made even tougher when Jarell Quansah headed in for Liverpool to make it 3-1 moments in to the second-half.
Ollie Watkins thought he pulled Villa back into it seconds later but VAR ruled the goal out for offside in the buildup.
Diego Carlos won’t want to see this one again?!
pic.twitter.com/WCE6v3h3xr
— Attacking Football (@AttackingFooty) May 13, 2024
Defeat wouldn’t rule out their hopes of securing a top four finish but would give Spurs confidence of catching them up with a win in their clash against Manchester City on Tuesday.
They are the only two sides left in contention to qualify for the Champions League, with Newcastle six points behind Spurs in sixth.
Should Villa get the job done, they will return to European football’s top competition for the first time since 1983.