Aston Villa dealt triple injury blow ahead of Liverpool clash

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That leaves Liverpool balancing ambition with caution. Ibrahima Konate’s availability is significant, while Mohamed Salah’s potential cameo could alter the mood of the game, even if he is not ready to start.

Villa Park Carries Huge Stakes

Unai Emery framed the fixture as both a challenge and an opportunity. Villa are level on points with Liverpool, which underlines how far his side have come.

“Everything is very important and in the process we are in, each game is very important. Now we are at the end of the season, with the highest challenge we expected at the beginning to finish the season with. The top five would be something fantastic.”

Emery also offered respect for Liverpool’s quality, while acknowledging their inconsistency.

“Tomorrow we are playing one team who were a favourite to win the league after winning it last season, fighting with Arsenal and Man City. We have the same points as them and we must be so proud of it.

“Now it’s about how we can test ourselves against them. Liverpool have a fantastic coach and have fantastic players. They are not being consistent like before, but they are still a fantastic team. It is Liverpool.

“Playing against them at Villa Park in the day 37 with 59 points and trying to test us against them is something amazing.”

Champions League Race Reaches Defining Moment

This is where seasons become distilled into details. Liverpool have the greater pedigree, Villa have home advantage, and Unai Emery has built a side capable of making elite opponents uncomfortable.

For Liverpool, this is about finishing the job. For Villa, it is about proving their rise belongs at Champions League level.