Liverpool fixture moved again as Aston Villa keeps unlikely Champions League lifeline alive
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Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesLiverpool FCLiverpool's game against Aston Villa has been moved again after Unai Emery's side booked its place in the Europa League final by soundly beating Nottingham ForestAston Villa has reached the Europa League final after beating Nottingham Forest(Image: Getty Images)Liverpool’s schedule will once again be changed, although the Reds’ hopes of reaching next season’s Champions League look to have been boosted after Aston Villa booked its place in the Europa League final.Unai Emery’s side will battle it out for its first European trophy in over 40 years after overturning its first-leg deficit against Nottingham Forest, winning 4-0 at Villa Park to secure a 4-1 victory on aggregate in the semi-finals.Villa will now face German side Freiburg in the final in Istanbul, and it’s not just silverware that will be on the line, with a spot in the Champions League also up for grabs for the winner - and that means it’s all change for Liverpool again.READ MORE: Liverpool transfer news and rumors today LIVE: Senesi agreement, Wharton interest, Jones latestREAD MORE: Liverpool dressing room stance on Arne Slot after players hit out at 'lack of fight'Arne Slot’s side will travel to Villa Park for its penultimate game of the season, and both sides may still be looking to sew up a top-five finish. Liverpool currently sits fourth, just ahead of Villa on goal difference, with both teams in position to qualify for the Champions League.With the FA Cup final taking place on Saturday, May 16, all Premier League fixtures had been shifted by 24 hours for the penultimate weekend of the season.
Liverpool’s trip to the midlands had been set to take place on May 17, with a kick-off time of 12:30 pm GMT (7:30 am ET).With Villa booking its place in the Europa League final though, the game will once again be move to Friday, May 15, with kick-off at 8 pm GMT (3 pm ET). The Europa League final than takes place five days later on Wednesday, May 20.Liverpool head coach Arne Slot and Aston Villa manager Unai Emery.(Image: Daniel Chesterton/Offside via Getty Images)Should Villa triumph in Istanbul, it could open up an intriguing final weekend in the Premier League, with the possibility of the team finishing sixth also earning a spot in the Champions League.England has already earned an extra spot in Europe’s top competition for next season thanks to its coefficient ranking, but winning the Europa League would also secure Villa’s qualification.If Emery’s side does manage that and then finish fifth in the Premier League, it would result in sixth place also earning a spot in the Champions League.
It does mean though that Slot’s side could be involved in a bizarre final game of the season.Liverpool will face Brentford on the final day at Anfield, with the Bees one of the sides in the hunt for sixth. However, if Villa finishes fourth, then there will only be five teams eligible for the Champions League.Keith Andrews’ side could therefore find itself in a position where it may need to lose to Liverpool in order to secure a place at Europe’s top table.Choose Liverpool.com as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Liverpool FCChampions LeagueAston Villa FCEuropa LeagueNottingham Forest