Only goal difference separates the sides as they battle for the remaining two Champions League spots on offer. With Brighton & Hove Albion and Bournemouth still on their tails, the stakes are high for the upcoming clash at Villa Park.
Villa Rotation Concerns
Villa are expected to make some changes with one eye on the Europa League final, perhaps offering peripheral figures an opportunity to shine. However, the result of that rotation was a disjointed and abject performance against Tottenham Hotspur which resulted in a convincing defeat.
A repeat of such a display will inevitably end badly for Villa on Friday. When drafting in an unfamiliar XI against Spurs, they managed just 0.32 expected goals, one shot on target and 45% possession.
The Villans don't boast the deepest squad and could be punished for making alterations. The likes of Ollie Watkins, John McGinn and Pau Torres could all be afforded rests with one eye on the Europa League, although a strong core will still include Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, Ezri Konsa and Emi Martínez.
Team News
Aston Villa: Villa are only without central midfielders Boubacar Kamara and Amadou Onana. Lamare Bogarde perhaps coming into the team to offer some fresh legs in the double pivot given the duo's absence.
Liverpool: Slot remained coy on the fitness of Alisson and Florian Wirtz, the former back in training having missed two months of action and the latter battling a stomach infection. They could play some part at Villa Park. Conor Bradley, Wataru Endo, Giovanni Leoni and Hugo Ekitiké remain long-term absentees, but Alexander Isak should make his return to the XI after a minor injury setback.
Match Details
Location: Birmingham, England
Kick-off Time: 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. BST
Referee: Chris Kavanagh