Unai Emery sends message to Liverpool after Aston Villa drops points in top-five race
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Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesAston Villa FCAfter disappointing Premier League results this weekend, both Villa and Liverpool's attentions turn to a Friday-night clash at Villa Park, where a win foe either would secure a Champions League placeUnai Emery said he is 'so motivated' to face Liverpool despite Aston Villa's imminent Europa League finalUnai Emery has said he is “so motivated” for Friday’s game against Liverpool, despite the looming prospect of Aston Villa’s Europa League final.The Reds’ trip to Villa Park has been rearranged in order to provide the West Midlands side with extra recovery time before its mammoth showdown with Freiburg in Istanbul. Liverpool will now face Villa on Friday, five days before the final.The two clubs have been vying for a Champions League spot all season, and are tied on 59 points heading into the final two rounds of Premier League fixtures.
A win for either on Friday would secure a top-five finish after both teams drew against Chelsea and Burnley respectively this weekend.READ MORE: Aston Villa fixtures and Europa League final date could give Liverpool major advantageREAD MORE: Liverpool's final fixtures compared to Aston Villa and Bournemouth and how many points neededAnd although the focus of many Villa fans is on the Freiburg clash and the opportunity to end a 30-year wait for silverware, Emery has not downplayed the significance of Liverpool meeting.“So happy, because to be in the final in the Europa League is something amazing, and to share with the Premier League – to be in the top five like we are now, is very fantastic,” he told VillaTV after Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Burnley.“We can see other teams’ examples; it is not easy to compete, performing in Europe and to compete performing in the Premier League in both.Liverpool and Villa are battling it out for Champions League qualification(Image: (Photo by Daniel Chesterton/Offside/Offside via Getty Images))“We are doing [it] in the Europa League, but at the same time, we are competing again to be in the Champions League next year — hopefully through the league or hopefully through the Europa League.“I am so motivated, so excited for the match on Friday against Liverpool.“We are going to test against them as well in Villa Park, which team is, in this moment, better than the other in the table.“We have the same points. Of course, it’s Liverpool and it’s going to be very difficult, and it’s a huge challenge, and then prepare [for] the final against Freiburg in 10 days.Aston Villa reached the Europa League final after beating Nottingham Forest over two legs in the semi-final(Image: Getty Images)“Every supporter of Aston Villa and follower of Aston Villa should be so proud of everything we are doing, and we should be so excited and motivated to try to face the last days, the last weeks, the last matches of the season.”Villa allowed a second-half lead to slip at Turf Moor, with Zian Flemming netting an equalizer in the 58th minute.That result, in conjunction with Liverpool’s disappointing draw against Chelsea, means Bournemouth remains four points behind the Villa and the Reds, while Brighton trails them by six points with two matches of the season remaining.Choose Liverpool.com as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Aston Villa FCLiverpool FC