Live updates: Aston Villa vs Liverpool LIVE - Team news with Salah set to return for battle to secure Champions League place. The victor at Villa Park will book their spot in the top tier of European competition next season.
Match Preview
Aston Villa host Liverpool in the Premier League in a match that could have huge bearings on the race for Champions League football this season. Both sides come into their penultimate league game of 2025/26 level on points, and while Liverpool are ahead on goal difference, a loss for either side could be detrimental to their hopes of finishing in the top five, with Bournemouth lurking just four points behind.
Villa's run to the Europa League final has come at the expense of their domestic form, with Unai Emery's side having won just one of their last five games in the Premier League. However, Arne Slot's Liverpool have also struggled of late, and with Villa able to fall back on the Europa League final as they bid for Champions League qualification, it certainly feels like this is a vital game for Liverpool as the champions bid to avoid the disaster of missing out on Europe's top competition for 2026/27.
Live Updates
Good evening! Welcome to The Independent's coverage of tonight's Premier League action as Aston Villa host Liverpool in what could be a decisive clash for the Champions League spots. Neither team has guaranteed their place in the European top-flight next season and whoever wins tonight will be sure of a fifth placed finish at the worst. With that will come a place in Europe's premium competition next season and the chance to end the Premier League campaign without pressure for the final match of the season. We'll have all the team news, line-ups and updates throughout the evening so stick with us as we build up to kick off at 8pm.
