Aston Villa fans despair again as Diego Carlos misses nanny after Emiliano Martínez howl against Liverpool

Aston Villa fans were left dejected once again after Diego Carlos somehow missed from less than two yards against Liverpool.

town fell 1-0 down in the second minute of their crucial Champions League clash due to Own goal by Emiliano Martínezand they were also guilty of leaving their shooting boots at home.

After Youri Tielemans leveled for Villa, Liverpool regained the lead through Cody Gakpo, but Unai Emery's side had an excellent chance to equalize for the second time.

However, central defender Carlos missed by inches, with Leon Bailey's low ball crossing the goal and finding the defender only for his left foot to take it wide instead of entering the goal right in front of him.

“It's almost impossible to miss,” Joe Shennan said in a commentary for talkSPORT, with Danny Murphy adding: “That's the difference between the best players in the world and those just below.

“The best players in the world don't miss them.”

Villa are four points ahead of Tottenham and can qualify for the Champions League with a win against the Reds before the final day of the season.

Their last game will be against a rejuvenated Crystal Palace who have won five of their last six games.

However, their task was made even more difficult when Jarell Quansah headed in to make Liverpool 3-1 moments into the second half.

Ollie Watkins thought he had put Villa back seconds later but VAR ruled out the goal for offside in the build-up.

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Defeat would not rule out their hopes of finishing in the top four but would give Spurs the confidence to catch up with a win in their clash against Manchester City on Tuesday.

They are the only two teams left in the fight to qualify for the Champions League, with Newcastle six points behind Spurs in sixth place.

If Villa can get the job done, they will return to European football's top competition for the first time since 1983.