Liverpool travel to play Aston Villa for their penultimate game of the campaign, as they look to book a place in next season’s Champions League.
Aston Villa vs. Liverpool
Premier League (37) | Villa Park
May 15, 2026 | 8pm (BST)
A disappointing campaign is now nearing its conclusion, but for Arne Slot‘s side, there is still plenty to play for.
The fourth-place Reds visit fifth-place Villa in a game that feels hard to predict, given the inconsistency of both teams.
Here’s all you need to know ahead of the match.
Liverpool can seal Champions League qualification
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, May 9, 2026: Liverpool's players form a pre-match huddle before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
There is a huge incentive for Liverpool, with victory confirming their place in next season’s Champions League.
A win would take them three points clear of Villa, all but sealing a fourth-place finish before the visit of Brentford on the final day.
Liverpool will have to play far better than they did against Chelsea last weekend, though, or defeat could easily come their way.
That said, they are facing a Villa side with a historic occasion on the horizon.
Will Aston Villa’s focus be elsewhere?
Res Opposition Comp Score
D Burnley (A) Premier League 2-2
W Nott’m Forest (H) Europa League 4-0
L Tottenham (H) Premier League 1-2
L Nott’m Forest (A) Europa League 1-0
The bonus for Liverpool is that Villa face Freiburg in the Europa League final next Wednesday, in one of the biggest games in their history.
While the clash with the Reds is important in its own right, it is only natural that Unai Emery’s players may have one eye on the final.
They certainly performed like that in their recent 2-1 defeat at home to Tottenham, before their semi-final second leg meeting with Nottingham Forest.
Liverpool must take advantage of this, rather than producing another limp showing.
Who is injured for Liverpool vs. Aston Villa?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 25, 2026: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Mohamed Salah is back available “for only a few minutes,” said Slot, with the Liverpool legend likely to be a substitute against Villa.
Alisson is back in training and is pushing to feature, as Florian Wirtz also faces a race against time due to illness.
Hugo Ekitike and Conor Bradley are out for many months to come, with Giovanni Leoni, Wataru Endo, Stefan Bajcetic and Jayden Danns all sidelined, too.
Predicting Liverpool’s starting XI
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, May 9, 2026: Liverpool's Rio Ngumoha is replaced by substitute Alexander Isak (L) during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
It remains to be seen if Alisson is fit, but if so, he will come in for Giorgi Mamardashvili in goal for Liverpool.
Curtis Jones, Joe Gomez and Jeremie Frimpong are the options at right-back, while Alexander Isak will hopefully return up front, meaning Rio Ngumoha could drop to the bench.
With Salah only available off the bench, Slot’s most likely selection options on the right are Frimpong or Szoboszlai.
Predicted Liverpool XI: Mamardashvili; Jones, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Frimpong, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Isak
How will Aston Villa line-up vs. Liverpool?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, November 1, 2025: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah is challenged by Aston Villa's captain John McGinn during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Aston Villa FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Emery has some huge selection decisions given the magnitude of the Freiburg game; Boubacar Kamara (knee), Alysson (groin) and Amadou Onana (calf) are all missing.
Villa are still likely to be strong, but it is hard not to see tweaks being made to the team that drew 2-2 at Burnley last Sunday.
However, to quote journalist Sam Tighe, who This Is Anfield spoke to about a possible XI earlier in the week, “absolutely no idea.
“I don’t know how he (Emery) will play it.”
Ross Barkley feels almost certain to start, though, with the former Everton midfielder not named in Villa’s Europa League squad.
Arne Slot expects to remain Liverpool head coach
Speaking to the media on Thursday, Slot claimed that he fully expects to be in charge of Liverpool beyond the summer.
“I don’t think I’m deciding that alone, but I have every reason to believe I’m the Liverpool manager next season,” Slot said.
“First of all, I’m contracted to this club, and second of all, from all the talks we’re having. That is my take on it.”
That is sure to divide opinion among the fanbase!
How good is Liverpool’s recent record at Aston Villa?
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - Wednesday, February 19, 2025: Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the FA Premier League match between Aston Villa FC and Liverpool FC at Villa Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool are unbeaten in their last five game at Villa Park – four in the Premier League and one in the FA Cup.
Last season, the two sides battled to a 2-2 draw as Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold got on the scoresheet, while a 3-3 draw took place late in the 2023/24 campaign.
Liverpool haven’t actually lost to Villa in any game since the freak 7-2 thrashing in the Midlands back in October 2020.
But that wasn’t a proper season with no fans in the ground, so we’re not counting it!
The Harvey Elliott situation
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 1, 2025: Liverpool's substitute Harvey Elliott on the bench before the FA Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool FC at Dean Court. Liverpool won 2-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Harvey Elliott was loaned out to Villa from Liverpool last summer, but he has experienced a hugely disappointing spell there.
The 23-year-old has made just one Premier League start all season and has featured for only 110 minutes in the competition.
This is a big summer for the attacking midfielder, who needs to either kick on at Liverpool or find a permanent club to start regularly at.
Slot has confirmed that he will be back at Liverpool for pre-season.
Who is the referee for Aston Villa vs. Liverpool?
LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, September 27, 2025: Referee Chris Kavanagh stops the game for a supporter to receive medical attention during the FA Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Liverpool FC at Selhurst Park. Crystal Palace won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Chris Kavanagh has been confirmed as the referee, meaning he is in charge of a Liverpool game for the ninth time this season.
Dan Cook and Lee Betts are the assistant referees at Villa Park, while Andy Madley is the fourth official. Neil Davies is assisted by Paul Howard in the VAR booth.
How to follow and watch Aston Villa vs. Liverpool
Aston Villa vs. Liverpool is live on Sky Sports Main Event, with kick-off at 8pm (BST).
Meanwhile, Henry Jackson will be keeping you company on This Is Anfield‘s live blog from 7.15pm.
Come on you Reds!