Ollie Watkins sounds Liverpool warning that Arne Slot must listen to
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Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesAston Villa FCAston Villa and Liverpool face each other at Villa Park on Friday in a game which could yet have a big impact on the race for Champions League qualificationAston Villa striker Ollie Watkins(Image: 2026 Aston Villa FC)Ollie Watkins has warned Liverpool that Aston Villa will make it a difficult game when the two sides meet at Villa Park on Friday.Liverpool and Villa go into the game level on points with each other, and a win for either side would secure Champions League qualification for next season.The loser, though, could end up facing an anxious final game of the season, with the race for a top-five finish going down to the wire.That's because if Bournemouth beats Manchester City this weekend, the Cherries will be just one point adrift of whichever team loses out of Villa and Liverpool.Alternatively, a draw between Villa and Liverpool coupled with a Bournemouth win would leave both Villa and Liverpool susceptible to losing their place in the top five on the final day of the season.READ MORE: Liverpool announces permanent Diogo Jota memorial with classy touch addedREAD MORE: Liverpool discovers exact chances of UCL qualification after latest twists and turnsAhead of Friday's game at Villa Park, Villa striker Watkins said: "We’re back at Villa Park against Liverpool, we always do well there, so it’s going to be difficult for them. We always make it difficult for them, and it’s going to be an enjoyable last home game of the season."Villa, which could also secure a Champions League spot next term with a win over Freiburg in next week's Europa League final, drew 2-2 with Burnley on Sunday in a game that Unai Emery's men were the favorites to win.Villa's league form has been a cause for concern for several months now, though, with the Midlands club sitting 16th in the form table over the last 15 games.Villa has picked up 16 points during that period, which is fewer than the likes of Leeds, West Ham and Nottingham Forest.Villa's Premier League form has been poor over the last three monthsHeading into February, Villa was just four points off the top of the table, but Emery's men now sit 20 points behind Arsenal in first place.Despite that concern, Emery is pleased with how his team's season is going.
Previewing the Liverpool game, he said: "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 (Europa League) final against Freiburg in 10 days.“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.”Choose Liverpool.com as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Liverpool FCAston Villa FC