Aston Villa have their fate in their own hands as they enter the final week of the season.
Disappointment at crashing out of the semi-final of the Europa Conference League on Thursday night could soon be a distant memory if Villa manage to beat Liverpool on Monday night and secure a Champions League spot.
Regardless of what happens on Monday night, Villa’s fate could still be decided ahead of the final day as Tottenham Hotspur have to beat Manchester City on Tuesday to keep their own dreams of a top four finish alive.
An arduous season is catching up with the Villa players, who have looked fatigued in recent weeks. However, they are just three points away from a historic season.
All Unai Emery will be cornered with is how his Villa side can beat Liverpool and Birmingham Live Aston Villa correspondent John Townley has offered his verdict on how the Monday night game will play out.
John Townley predicts a tight game against Liverpool
Speaking on the Claret & Blue podcast, Townley was looking ahead to Villa’s final home game of the season against Liverpool.
Manchester City’s 4-0 win over Fulham on Saturday saw Liverpool’s slim title hopes come to an end, which could benefit Villa.
Townley predicted a draw, which would mean all attention would turn to Spurs’ home game against City on Tuesday night.
Townley said: “I think 1-1. I was going to say 2-2 but I don’t think we’ve got enough in us to do a 2-2. I think Liverpool might do.”
“They could have Robertson and Jota out, which would be nice for us.”
The Villa correspondent went on to explain what he feels will be crucial to The Villans getting a result, saying: “We need to be up and at it and as clinical as we can be in front of goal.”
“That’s key, because we’re going to be lacking energy come 60 minutes I’d have thought so when we get chances we need to take them.”
Ollie Watkins must return to form against Liverpool
What will massively help Villa be clinical against Liverpool is a return to form of Ollie Watkins.
The 28-year-old has been immense this season, scoring 19 goals and providing 12 assists in the Premier League without taking a single penalty.
The striker, who will be eyeing up a space in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the Euros this summer, has only managed one goal in his last six games, though.
With Jhon Duran only 20 and the only other striker in the squad, Watkins has had to play a massive part this season and perhaps that is beginning to take its toll as he has been really poor in the past three games.
If Villa are to get over the line and secure Champions League football, they will need one last push from their talismanic striker.
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