Aston Villa have the chance to seal Champions League qualification on Friday night when they host Liverpool. Three points from their final two Premier League games will secure a top-five finish for Unai Emery’s side, but a draw won’t be enough to confirm their place in the Champions League before heading to Istanbul for the Europa League final.
Key Scenarios
If Villa draw against the Reds, they would require Manchester City to avoid defeat against Bournemouth on the night before the Europa League final to confirm their place. A loss to Liverpool would mean Villa’s hopes of a top-five finish go to the final day. However, it would matter little if they beat SC Freiburg in Istanbul, with Champions League qualification also secured by lifting the trophy.
Team News and Predicted Lineup
Emery will be asked for a team news update when he speaks to the media on Thursday afternoon. Emi Martinez is expected to start in goal, possibly behind a defence of Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres and Lucas Digne. Torres and Digne are both also likely to start in the final, but will need minutes in their legs after sitting out the draw against Burnley.
Victor Lindelof could feature in midfield in the final if Amadou Onana is not fit to play. As a result, Lamare Bogarde could play in the double pivot alongside Youri Tielemans against Liverpool, with John McGinn, Ross Barkley and Morgan Rogers supporting Tammy Abraham.
Emery has few quality options in attacking areas to dislodge McGinn or Rogers, but Abraham could come in to give Ollie Watkins a rest ahead of the final.
Predicted Villa XI
Predicted XI: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Bogarde, Tielemans; McGinn, Barkley, Rogers; Abraham.
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