Villa sneaking up on fourth, warns Carragher
And defender Jamie Carragher, Gerard Houllier's man of the match in the 2-0 win over Middlesbrough on Sunday which kept Liverpool in fourth spot, has voiced the growing fear that Villa could even be given a helping hand by Manchester United on the final, dramatic day of the season.
Liverpool, who won at United just over a week ago, will have to face Newcastle at Anfield on the last day, while Villa will meet the Old Trafford men at the same time.
Carragher believes United could have their focus on the FA Cup final a week later and field a weakened side at Villa Park, and David O'Leary's side will be waiting to take full advantage.
Carragher said: "We have to make sure we win all our games. We have to play Newcastle on the last day of the season and it could all hinge on that.
But Villa have Manchester United at home as their last game, and that is a week before the FA Cup final, and maybe United will rest a few players when they play at Villa because they will be looking towards the final.
"It means we have to keep an eye on Aston Villa because they are right in there with us going for that last spot."
Villa play at Southampton on Saturday and then Manchester United the following weekend, and are now only one point behind Liverpool.
Sixth-placed Newcastle face Wolves and Southampton away before arriving at Anfield for the last-day showdown in the only real issue left to be decided in the Premiership.
Liverpool are at Birmingham on Saturday night before the meeting with Bobby Robson's men.
It means Liverpool, who have clung onto fourth spot for almost two months, are beginning to fear Villa who have gone seven unbeaten more so than Newcastle, who have won only three of their last nine in the league and have become distracted by the UEFA Cup.
Manager Houllier said: "Villa are a real threat now. I have been saying for a long while that Villa were going to be very real contenders. We now have to compete with them as well.
"The fight for fourth place will go right to the end. I have always said we consider them a threat. They have had some good fixtures and continued to do well, particularly at home.
"We are in pole position, and we have held fourth place for a long time now, almost two months. The boys are ready to give their sweat and blood to stay there to the end."
Houllier, however, believes his troubled side have at last started to produce the consistent form needed for such a nail-biting climax to the season.
They have lost just two of their last nine league games and conceded just one goal in the last 553 minutes at home. Goals from Danny Murphy, his second successful penalty, and Emile Heskey settled the victory over Boro.
Houllier added: "I would have settled for the way the results have gone for us before the weekend. We showed better movement, more penetration and a more clinical finish.
"The focus and concentration, plus the unity of the team, was very good.
Our defeat at Highbury on Good Friday knocked us back a bit, Arsenal took a great toll on us, the lads were hurt by that defeat.
"But they are back to their best now, the win at Manchester United certainly proved that and gave them the confidence to keep going. It was a good remedy in the healing process."
Liverpool ended United's hopes of retaining their title when winning at Old Trafford. Revenge could come for the fallen champions on the last day, with a weakened side at Villa Park.
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