A Champions League six-pointer takes place at Villa Park as both Aston Villa and Liverpool look to secure their spot in UEFA's top club competition next season
Unai Emery and Arne Slot
Unai Emery and Arne Slot go hed-to-head with Champions League football at stake(Image: PA / Getty)
View Image
A huge European six-pointer awaits us as Villa Park stages a potentially decisive Premier League clash on Friday night as Aston Villa face Liverpool, with Champions League qualification firmly on the line. Liverpool sit fourth, level with fifth-placed Villa on points and ahead only on goal difference. Bournemouth, in sixth, are four points back with two matches remaining.
The bookies is expecting a close encounter and have priced Liverpool as the favourites away from home at 6/5 with BetGoodwin with the Villans at 9/5 with Sky Bet and a draw is 13/5 with Paddy Power. You can also find more betting offers at the Mirror Betting Hubs Free Bets offers.
Villa’s league momentum has dipped as their Europa League run has intensified, but it has delivered a major reward: Unai Emery’s side reached the final after a 4-1 aggregate win over Nottingham Forest. In the Premier League, Villa have managed just one point from their last three games, drawing 2-2 with Burnley after defeats to Fulham and Tottenham.
Despite that wobble, Villa remain fifth and retain a four-point cushion over Bournemouth, meaning Champions League qualification through their league finish could be confirmed this gameweek. They also have a second route via Europe: victory over Freiburg in the Europa League final on May 20 would secure a place in the 2026-27 Champions League.
Bet £10 Get £15 Free Bets with BetGoodwin
Content Image
Content Image
History offers Villa limited encouragement, though, with just one win in their last 16 league meetings with Liverpool — the memorable 7-2 triumph at Villa Park in October 2020.
Liverpool arrive on the back of a 1-1 draw with Chelsea, another below-par display in an underwhelming campaign for the defending champions. They were beaten 3-2 by Manchester United at Old Trafford in their last away outing on May 3, but remain close to sealing a top-four finish.
Third place is still mathematically possible, but it would require Liverpool to win their final two matches and for Manchester United, currently third, to lose both of theirs — with a significant goal-difference swing also needed.
Arne Slot appears set to remain in charge, and Liverpool will be keen to secure Champions League football before their final-day home game against Brentford, which could prove awkward. Their away form has been a clear issue: they have only the league’s ninth-best record on the road, losing eight of 18, underlining the improvement required if they are to mount a genuine title challenge next season.
Aston Villa vs Liverpool Prediction
Aston Villa vs Liverpool Team News
Aston Villa will again be without Boubacar Kamara (knee), Alysson (groin) and Amadou Onana (calf) for Friday’s meeting with Liverpool, but Unai Emery otherwise has a strong squad available.
Emiliano Buendia, who has scored twice in his last three outings, is expected to return to the starting XI after beginning the Burnley draw on the bench. Ollie Watkins should again spearhead the attack, having contributed to 12 goals in his last 13 appearances, including nine strikes.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are certain to be missing Conor Bradley (knee), Hugo Ekitike (Achilles), Giovanni Leoni (knee) and Wataru Endo (foot). There are also doubts over Ibrahima Konate (thigh), Alisson (fitness), Mohamed Salah (thigh) and Florian Wirtz (illness), who will all be assessed before a final call is made.
Alexander Isak returned from injury as a substitute against Chelsea and could now push for a start at Villa Park.