How many English clubs can you get in a Champions League? The answer seems to be “as many as possible”, Friday night’s contest at Villa Park crucial in deciding whether, next season, it’s five or six. Liverpool are almost there, but greater intrigue surrounds Villa who, if they finish fifth and win the Europa League, will secure an additional spot for one of Bournemouth, Brighton and Brentford, two of whom harbour hopes of overtaking them – and imagine what any of three might do should their talent ID be fortified with Champions League money.
This gives Unai Emery a dilemma: does he go for a win to take Villa over the top, hoping his team find a groove that sustains them through Wednesday’s final? Or does he keep his big hitters fresh for the opportunity of a generation – of several generations – knowing that, if Villa lose, they’ve another chance to resolve things next weekend … away to Manchester City?
How do you do? Welcome to live, minute-by-minute coverage of Aston Villa v Liverpool at Villa Park. In recent weeks, these two have looked nailed-on to qualify for next season’s Champions League. That’s still the likeliest outcome, but it’s far from a done deal and there is a credible scenario in which one of them misses out.
It involves Villa losing next week’s Europa League to Freiburg and in-form Bournemouth (or possibly Brighton) leapfrogging either Villa or Liverpool to finish in the top five. Improbable, sure, but not inconceivable, which means there’s plenty riding on tonight – even more so given the noise and heat surrounding Arne Slot.
A win for either team will guarantee Champions League qualification. A defeat – particularly for Villa, whose last Premier League game of the season is at the Etihad – would create an unwelcome complication.
