🏏 Fri, 15 May 2026 20:00 BST
Aston Villa
vs
Liverpool FC
4-2-3-1 vs 4-2-3-1
Substitutes
Substitutes
Match Preview
- Matchday 37, a head-to-head between two sides level on 59 points. Aston Villa sit 5th and Liverpool 4th on goal difference (+12 to +4), so the winner takes a big step toward securing 4th place. Leaders Arsenal (79 points) are a distant 20 clear, making this a decisive final clash in the Champions League qualification race.
- In their first meeting this season, on Matchday 10 at Anfield, Liverpool won 2-0. Villa look for revenge at home, but their recent form has dipped at 1 win, 2 draws and 2 losses (D-W-L-L-D) in the last five; in particular, their last two games have been a 1-2 loss to Tottenham and a 2-2 draw with Burnley, leaving them without a win.
- Liverpool are also winless in their last two games (W-W-W-L-D), losing 2-3 to Manchester United and drawing 1-1 with Chelsea. Having dropped two points against Chelsea last time out, an away win is needed in this crucial match as the race for 4th heats up.
- Villa line up in a 4-2-3-1 and deploy Lindelof, a free transfer from Manchester United this summer, in defensive midfield. He partners Tielemans (ex-Leicester) in the middle to add defensive solidity. The attack features the creative trio of McGinn, Rogers and Buendia in the second line, supporting Watkins as the lone striker.
- Liverpool make the notable decision to start Mohamed Salah (32, ex-Chelsea/Roma) on the bench. In his place, 18-year-old prospect Rio Ngumoha starts on the right wing, with Gakpo as a false nine and an attacking midfield trio of Curtis Jones and Szoboszlai hunting goals. Mac Allister and Gravenberch form the base of midfield.
- With both sides in a mirror 4-2-3-1, the battle for second balls in midfield is key. Against Villa's Tielemans (178cm) and Lindelof (187cm), Liverpool will look to take control through Gravenberch's (190cm) height and the technique of Mac Allister (176cm, 2022 World Cup winner).
- Japan captain Wataru Endo (31, ex-Stuttgart) starts on the Liverpool bench. He is expected to be introduced in the second half as a trump card if midfield becomes congested. Watch whether his defensive qualities, which have earned him a reputation as a duel king, and his experience in changing the flow of a game can help the team secure 4th.
- The duel between Villa's Emiliano Martinez (32, 2022 World Cup-winning goalkeeper) and Liverpool's new last line Mamardashvili (24, ex-Valencia) is another highlight. Martinez is known as the penalty shootout hero of the World Cup final, while Mamardashvili helped Georgia reach the Round of 16 at EURO 2024 with the national team.