Premier League pressure on stuttering Villa

[Getty Images]

Aston Villa have made hard work of qualifying for the Champions League.

It is just three wins in their past 13 Premier League games - no top-flight away win since January - and they can count themselves fortunate to still occupy a place in the top five.

They still have two routes - Wednesday's Europa League final against Freiburg in Istanbul - and via the league. Beating Liverpool at Villa Park on Friday would seal it.

Victory would send Unai Emery's side into fourth, above the Reds who they are level with on 59 points.

Lose and they will be vulnerable to Bournemouth, who are currently four points behind, although the Cherries host Manchester City on Tuesday, with Pep Guardiola's side looking to keep their fading title hopes alive.

Brighton could still finish fifth with two wins and also have a better goal difference than Villa.

The pressure is on Villa again on Friday, Emery having stated qualification for the Champions League via the Premier League is the priority.

That will be his message again in his pre-match news conference at Bodymoor on Thursday afternoon.

How to balance the squad will also be a consideration, with the team preparing for their first major European final since 1982.