In a few hours, Aston Villa welcome Liverpool to Villa Park, and when the match is over, there will be a lot of discussion about where we stand depending on the result.
When the line-up is released, it will tell us a lot. It will show whether we are going to play on the front foot or defensively, and where Emery’s priorities lie, the Europa League or the Premier League.
We have not won or qualified for anything yet. Play a weakened side tonight and lose, and it gives Bournemouth, who are four points behind us with a better goal difference, plenty of belief going into their match against Manchester City on Tuesday night. Can Bournemouth beat City? I honestly think they can. Their form has been outstanding.
If we win tonight, that’s fifth place at the minimum, and a Champions League spot secured. As fans, we can then go into Wednesday evening’s final without constantly thinking about all the different scenarios that could still play out.
Looking at our last eight home matches against Liverpool, both sides are level on points, but Villa have the better goal difference. So according to my little mini league table, we are the form side going into tonight’s game. Am I clutching at straws? Maybe.
But honestly, I think we should go all out to beat Liverpool tonight. A strong line-up, playing on the front foot, under the lights at Villa Park. That’s what I want to see. UTV