Aston Villa welcome Liverpool to Villa Park tonight knowing that a win will seal Champions League qualification.
Unai Emery’s side will confirm their place in Europe’s elite with a win, while three points would also see The Villans climb above their opponents and into the top four.
Villa are hoping to end another positive campaign with success and face SC Freiburg in the Europa League final later this month. That clash represents a chance to end a 30-year wait for a major trophy, while Emery is seeking a record-extending fifth Europa League win as a manager.
First, the focus is on the Premier League. For both teams, a win tonight will finalise a place in the Champions League.
Aston Villa team news
Unai Emery is again expected to utlise Victor Lindelof in a defensive midfield role, as Aston Villa combat the losses of Boubacar Kamara and Amadou Onana to injury.
The Swedish centre-back has adapted well to the position to help ease Emery’s issues in the engine room. Kamara and Onana aside, Villa’s only other absentee is January signing Alysson.
Elsewhere, Ollie Watkins has scored nine goals in his last 13 appearances across all competitions to boost his chances of making England’s World Cup squad. He also boasts a strong record in this fixture. The 30-year-old has six goals in 11 league outings against Liverpool.
Aston Villa Predicted lineup
Potential Aston Villa XI: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne; Lindelof, Tielemans; McGinn, Rogers, Buendia; Watkins.
What time is kick-off?
The Premier League fixture between Aston Villa and Liverpool will kick-off at 8pm BST at Villa Park.
How to watch Aston Villa vs Liverpool
Aston Villa host Liverpool on Friday Night Football, live on Sky Sports.
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