"Aston Villa host Liverpool in an enticing Premier League clash in which the winner will clinch Champions League football for next season. Both Villa and Liverpool are coming off disappointing results that have kept them looking over their shoulders at sixth-placed Bournemouth in the race for the top five. The Cherries sit four points behind fourth-placed Liverpool and fifth-placed Villa but do not play again until they host Manchester City on Tuesday."
"Liverpool were booed off at Anfield after drawing 1-1 with Chelsea, while Villa's exertions in reaching the Europa League final appeared to catch up with them as they were held to a 2-2 draw by relegated Burnley. Villa are favourites to beat Freiburg in the Europa League final in Istanbul next Wednesday, which would secure a place in the Champions League."
"But Unai Emery will want to have a spot in Europe's elite competition sewn up before that showpiece, and victory against Liverpool would remove the nightmare scenario of Villa suffering a surprise loss to Freiburg in the final before having to go to City on the final day with their Champions League spot still in jeopardy. Champions League qualification is the one thing Liverpool can salvage from a desperately disappointing campaign but, with a difficult home game against Brentford following the trip to Villa Park, it is still not a guarantee for Arne Slot's side."
"Team news for Aston Villa v Liverpool Villa will be without Boubacar Kamara (knee), Amadou Onana (calf) and Alysson (groin). For Liverpool, Mohamed Salah will return after missing the last two games with a muscle injury. Florian Wirtz is a doubt because of a stomach infection, but Ibrahima Konate is fit to play despite being taken off in the draw with Chelsea."
Aston Villa host Liverpool in a Premier League match where the winner will clinch Champions League football for next season. Both teams enter after disappointing results that left them watching the race for the top five. Bournemouth sits four points behind fourth-placed Liverpool and fifth-placed Villa, with Bournemouth not playing again until they face Manchester City. Liverpool were booed after drawing 1-1 with Chelsea, while Villa were held 2-2 by relegated Burnley after their Europa League run. Villa are favourites to beat Freiburg in the Europa League final, but Emery wants Champions League secured beforehand. Liverpool can salvage qualification, though it is not guaranteed with Brentford next.
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