Aston Villa vs Liverpool LIVE: Premier League match stream, latest score, goal updates and fan reaction

aston villa vs liverpool liveGettyThe final Friday night fixture of the 2025/26 Premier League season will take place tonight as Liverpool visit Aston Villa in a potentially decisive tie in the race for Champions League qualification. The two sides come into this match level on 59 points, and whoever comes out on top here will confirm their involvement in European football next season. A draw could see both teams qualify, though that would hinge on the outcome of Bournemouth vs Manchester City on Tuesday night.Unai Emery’s Villa, of course, have the small matter of a European final to be thinking about. Tonight’s will be their final outing before they head to Istanbul to face Freiburg in the Europa League final, where victory will send them into the Champions League. However, they are not in wonderful form, with just one win in their last five across all competitions, and will hope to build some momentum here.Liverpool, meanwhile, are preparing to bid farewell to Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson, who both stand to make their penultimate appearances for the club here. Follow the action LIVE below with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog, complete with expert insight and analysis.Aston Villa vs Liverpool latest newsArne Slot: I will be Liverpool manager next season"I don't think I am deciding that myself alone."I have every reason to believe that I am the Liverpool manager next season. First of all, I am contracted to this club, and second of all from all the talks we are having."Plans have been made [for next season] and talks have been ongoing between the club and new players, and I am involved in that.“If a manager or a club doesn't have their best season, there is always debate about that."It is not only at Liverpool. It is all around the world. That is the new reality in football. It is not up to me to judge the people that judge me. They have every right to have their opinion."In this modern time, everyone can share their opinion. This happened 10-15 years ago, but then you did it in the pub and not everyone heard it."Now, it is also done in a pub. From what I am reading, they must have drunk a little bit. That is a joke. But now it is much more out in the open."An interesting recordAston Villa are one of just two Premier League teams yet to be awarded a penalty this season, per WhoScored, the other team being Tottenham.Will that change tonight?Kick-off fast approachingGettyGettyUnai Emery explains why he named such a strong side for this match“We are choosing as a priority the Premier League. I try to get our objective of the season, to be in Europe. That is a huge challenge at the beginining of the season but we are fighting for the top five position, for Champions League. “Today, Liverpool at home, the last match of the season here at Villa Park, this should make us confident and proud of what we are doing. Today the focus is 100 per cent only on this match.”Isak and Frimpong injuries explainedArne Slot tells all as Alexander Isak and Jeremie Frimpong miss this match through injury.GettyChampions League permutations: How can Aston Villa and Liverpool qualify?Both Aston Villa and Liverpool can confirm their place in the Champions League with a win.The loser of tonight’s tie will have to wait until the final day of the season to book their place in the next round.A draw could see both sides qualify this weekend, but that would require Bournemouth to drop points against Bournemouth on Tuesday.Aston Villa also have the safety net of the Europa League final next week, where victory over Freiburg would qualify them for the Champions League.Alexander Isak injury updateAlexander Isak misses this match with a minor injury, per reports. Liverpool were keen not to risk him after such an injury-hit season.Unai Emery: Harvey Elliott loan spell 'embarrassing'Harvey Elliott has played just 11 times for Aston Villa this season while on loan from Liverpool.The Villans looked to cancel his loan in January but could not come to an agreement with the Reds, and Emery has now issued his verdict on the situation.“To now explain about the reason for this decision is very difficult, or it is easy, but it is not the moment.“My apologies for Harvey Elliott is every day in my mind. But it is [about] responsibility. We have our responsibility and Liverpool have their responsibility.“It is something, as a human and as a person, how the season has gone has been difficult.”Aston Villa team newsNo great surprises in that Aston Villa side as Unai Emery goes strong ahead of next week’s Europa League final.Harvey Elliott, on loan from Liverpool, is absent as expected.There are four former Chelsea players on the bench in the shape of Tammy Abraham, Ross Barkley, Ian Maatsen and Jadon Sancho.Liverpool team newsA curious Liverpool team. Mohamed Salah and Florian Wirtz were both doubts for this match, one with injury and the other with illness, but make the bench here.There is no Alexander Isak or Jeremie Frimpong. More on their absences as soon as we have it.Alisson does not return, with Giorgi Mamardashvili starting between the sticks and Freddie Woodman on the bench.Wataru Endo was tipped to return here after being named in Japan’s World Cup squad today, but does not.