The HUGE impact Aston Villa vs Liverpool could have on five clubs' European hopes
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Aston Villa have their own Champions League hopes to worry about but when they face Liverpool on Friday night, live on Sky Sports, both teams could yet have a major effect on the fortunes of others in the race for Europe next season.Villa and Liverpool sit level on points and will secure their Champions League spots if they finish in the top five. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Aston Villa were held to a draw by relegated Burnley as their poor form continued last weekend They do have a second chance at qualifying, though and should they win the Europa League final against Freiburg on Wednesday, they can rest easy regardless of their league results.But the likes of Bournemouth, Brighton and Brentford - who according to Opta, have the most realistic chance of finishing in the top six - all have a vested interest in Villa's success too.
Also See: Live Premier League table Watch FREE Premier League highlights Got Sky? Get instant access with no contract However, if Villa win the Europa League and jump above Liverpool into fourth, which will become a far more realistic proposition if they beat them on Friday Night Football, it will just be the top five teams in the Premier League that qualify for the Champions League.
Villa had a 10-point cushion inside the top five as recently as mid-April and looked certain to qualify for the Champions League on league position - but their recent form has made that anything but a certainty going into Friday Night Football. If Brentford are sixth by then and Villa are Europa League champions, a Liverpool win may help ensure they finish fifth.Brighton are home to Manchester United and, if in sixth spot going into the final day, and if United have allowed Villa and Liverpool to close the gap on them, the Seagulls would also benefit from ensuring United remain above Villa in the table.