'Kind of do or die' - Aston Villa star makes Liverpool title claim ahead of Saturday night showdown

Villa only trail the Reds on goal difference after winning four in a row and former Everton star Onana has warned they will be facing desperate hosts.

The midfielder explained: “I think it is kind of do or die for them, if they still want to battle for the title. It is a big game, for sure.

“We are just going to go into that game like we do any other. In football the form doesn’t mean anything. 

“Liverpool are still an amazing team with great individual quality. We still need to be careful, not too complacent.”

The clubs have experienced wildly contrasting seasons, with Liverpool flying out of the blocks and Villa initially struggling before hitting their stride.

Emery’s men, who were in the bottom three after failing to win any of their first five league matches, have now downed Tottenham and Manchester City on consecutive weekends to climb into the top half of the table. 

Onana confirmed Champions League qualification is once again the target.

“I think we deserve that as a team,” he said. “The manager puts in a lot of work and the club deserves it, the fans, the city, all deserve it.

“These kind of games are where you really build a team, you build a culture. 

“When it is tough, going to places like Tottenham, playing at home against City who, for me, are a title contender, that is where players get the best out of themselves. That’s what we did on Sunday.”