Aston Villa vs Liverpool - Premier League: Live score, team news and updates as Unai Emery's side look to confirm Champions League place with a win in Jurgen Klopp's penultimate match

6 months ago 25

By Tum Balogun

Published: 18:26 BST, 13 May 2024 | Updated: 18:55 BST, 13 May 2024

Tom Hanks is in the house

Two-time Oscar winner and Hollywood royalty Tom Hanks is in attendance tonight. I believe his last trip to the ground was Villa's 4-2 defeat by Arsenal last season.

He'll be hoping for better viewing. I'm hoping for the same number of goals.

Scenes at Villa Park

It looks like Villa fans are using tonight as a dry run for their European Cup nights under the lights next season.

Was anyone expecting Villa to finish top four at the start of the season?

Gary Neville, Sky Sports:

It could be emotional there tonight, when you think, in their recent history, a club that's been in the championship, a club that's nearly got relegated from the Premier League, is absolutely magnificent Aston Villa on the great clubs of my youth, the original, sort of top five, top six.

And then we start to talk about them sort of differently in the last few years, because they sort of, yeah, they spend differently. They fall behind a little bit, and the new sort of wave of clubs come along, like Chelsea, manage the city, but for them to be on the brink of top four this season, I thought they were a good season, but I didn't think they would get top four.

Youri Tielemans returns to the squad

Tom Collomosse, Mail Sport:

Youri Tielemans is with the Villa squad as they arrive to a spine-tingling welcome from the home supporters.

The midfielder was not involved against Olympiacos last week and his return would be a huge boost.’

How things stand...

Unai Emery's side are looking to avoud a fourth consecutive defeat in all competitions, having crashed out of the Europa Conference League on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Liverpool have nothing to play for. Man City and Arsenal's wins this weekend have mathematically ended their title aspirations.

It's all vibes from here on out.

'Exhausted' Villa believe they have enough to get over the line

Tom Collomosse, Mail Sport:

Villa are exhausted but the prize is so close. With performances from key men like Emi Martinez, Ollie Watkins and John McGinn, they will feel they can pull this off.

Can Jurgen keep his cool?

The Reds boss is one yellow card away from a suspension that would mean a touchline ba for his final game as Liverpool boss. Imagine that, Klopp absent from the sidelines for the emotional scenes on Sunday.

There's no chance of that happening. Even if he has to channel his inner Jose Mourinho and sneak onto the bench against Wolves.

Regardless, Klopp is adament it won't come to that, telling reporters he's known he has had to watch his conduct for a few weeks now.

Party atmosphere at Villa Park

The flags are out on seats at the ground ahead of the clash, potentially in anticipation of celebratory scenes at full time. Villa can clinch Champions League qualification for the first time with a win tonight.

That could also have ramifications for the title race but we'll get back to that in due course.

Reds record at Villa

As I alluded to earlier, Liverpool's record at Villa Park has been brilliant in recent seasons. The Anfield club have lost one of their previous 12 Premier League visits.

However, that result was the bizarre 7-2 in October 2020. And the Villa social media team are understandably keen to remind everyone of Ollie Watkins' hat-trick on that day.

Final MNF of the season

I'll admit that this game looked like it would have far more ridding on it a few weeks ago. That shouldn't detract from what will still likely be an engaging clash between Aston Villla and Liverpool.

It's the final home game of the season for the Villans, who could secure their first-ever Champions League spot with a win, while the Midlands ground will be the last Jurgen Klopp will experience as a visting Liverpool boss.

The Reds have a superb record at Villa Park and we'll be bring you all the key facts ahead of the 8pm kick-off. Then make sure you stay with us when the action gets underway!