The race for the top four has narrowed down to one decisive night in Birmingham. Liverpool and Aston Villa are neck-and-neck in the standings, and Friday’s clash offers the Reds a chance to finally silence the critics and secure elite European football. For Villa, it’s the opportunity to cap off a historic season by leapfrogging their rivals at the ultimate moment.
During his Thursday press conference ahead of the high-stakes clash with the Reds, Unai Emery delivered a sobering fitness update that has left the Villa faithful reeling. The manager confirmed that the midfielder Amadou Onana has been ruled out,
In the press conference, he said, “We have the same players out. Amadou Onana is not available for tomorrow, and Alysson as well. Kamara is out. Other players, at the beginning, should be ready to play tomorrow.”
The Belgian midfielder picked up an issue with his calf in the club’s first leg of their Europa League semi-final against Nottingham Forest. He wasn’t involved in the second leg, as Emery’s troops advanced to the final.
🗣️ "Matchday 37 in Villa Park, with 59 points, trying to test the match how we are with them, is really something amazing."
The Boss' presser for #AVLLIV is now live on VillaTV 📺
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) May 14, 2026
Initial assessments following the first leg of the Europa League semi-final against Nottingham Forest suggested a three-week layoff for the 24-year-old.
With a historic European final against Freiburg fast-approaching, the Villa medical staff are now locked in a race against time to get the midfielder back on the grass before the flight to Istanbul.
Emery also confirmed that Brazilian winger Alysson Edward is once again sidelined. The January signing has had a frustrating start to life in Birmingham, managing only three appearances due to recurring injury issues.
We have the same players out,” he said.
“Amadou Onana is not available for tomorrow, Alysson as well is not, Kamara as well is not.
The Spaniard has spoken about the important period the club is going through, to not only hopefully lift silverware before the season concludes, but also to finish in the top five places in the Premier League.
“Everything is very important, and in the process we are in, each game is very important. Now we are at the end of the season, with the highest challenge we expected at the beginning to finish the season with. The top five would be something fantastic.”
Currently, the teams are both on 59 points, with Arne Slot’s side ahead on goal difference, with it being eight better, and they are four points clear of sixth-place Bournemouth. Both teams know that they need a win to claim the place, though with it being the final league game at Villa Park, it’s going to be a loud one.
Liverpool needsto dust off the cobwebs following their 1-1 draw at Anfield with Chelsea, which many supporters were displeased with.
There is further concern regarding the team’s away form, which has seen them win away from home just twice since the beginning of March. An FA Cup 3-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers and a late Virgil Van Dijk winner in the Merseyside Derby, midway through April.
What could play into the Reds’ hands is that Emery’s troops have been far from perfect in recent weeks themselves. In their recent game, they travelled to Turf Moor and drew 2-2 with already relegated Burnley, and in their last five league outings, they have won just one, a stunning 4-3 victory over Sunderland on the 19th of April.
With the injury at the heart of midfield, Liverpool must look to expose their weaknesses with their quality on the ball. Florian Wirtz could be in contention to return to the team following an illness on the weekend. His performance could be crucial higher up in Villa territory.
With two games to go, one has a chance to claim their place, and it will be a tough evening for both teams looking to give it all they have got. Liverpool take on Aston Villa under the lights at 8 pm on Friday.