The title race could go down to the wire, and now Steven Gerrard could have a say at the other end of the table.
The final four games of Villa's season are against the top two, starting with Tuesday's visit of his former club, who are chasing a historic quadruple, and then taking on Manchester City on the final day of the season.
In the final three games of the season of the previous year, the Reds were three games from winning the title, only for Steven Gerrard to slip up and allow the Blues to win at home.
Eight years later, the legendary former Reds captain can help shape the outcome of a title race that looks destined to go to the last day.
With three matches to go, City are three points ahead of their nearest rivals, who won the FA Cup, the League Cup and the Uefa Cup.
Gary Lineker, speaking on Match of the Day, discussed a possible last-day scenario where Gerrard could win the league for Liverpool if Villa earned victory at City.
Danny Murphy asked if he was still registered to play.
Lineker joked that he might run on when someone tackles him.
David James told the radio station that Stevie G could do a massive favour if the final game of the season was three points ahead of the Reds. It is not over.
James said, "Could you imagine Stevie G's team winning that game by enough goals to win a quadruple?"
It is still possible.
In his fifth match in charge, Villa lost at home to the Reds and it was clear that Gerrard was not interested in a sentimental return to the place of his birth.
He insists his focus is on getting as many points as possible and finishing in a place where we can be satisfied.
My job is to win games for Villa and that will always be the case while I am there.
He took charge of Villa when they were just two points away from being demoted.
They started against the Reds in 11th spot after 10 wins from their first 23 league games in charge.
They are a world-class team. The best team in the world right now, he said.
As a result of being seen by many as the heir to the throne, Steven Gerrard has a job to do. As far as he is concerned, the rest is a sideshow.
We are aware of the size of the challenge, but it is exciting and I am looking forward to it. He said that he wants to win fiercely on Tuesday.
The season is over 38 games and they play two other teams.
Both Manchester City andLiverpool know they will have a hard time getting anything from Villa.
In addition to making life difficult for the Reds, Villa pushed City all the way before losing at home to the team.
Villa has taken more points than any other club since 20 November.
He is frustrated that the team has not kicked on enough, and a busy summer looms in terms of changes to the playing squad.
The team, from the beginning of the season to now, has underachieved, so I don't think we will be happy or celebrating anything this season.
| Name | Played (10+) | Wins | Points | Points-per-game |
| Martin O'Neill | 152 | 61 | 236 | 1.55 |
| John Gregory | 148 | 61 | 229 | 1.55 |
| Brian Little | 130 | 51 | 189 | 1.45 |
| Ron Atkinson | 98 | 38 | 141 | 1.44 |
| Steven Gerrard | 23 | 10 | 33 | 1.43 |
| David O'Leary | 114 | 37 | 145 | 1.27 |
We seem to be taking two or three steps forward and looking really positive and then have a couple of setbacks. That is the reality of where we are.
In the January transfer window, Lucas Digne, Calum Chambers, and Philippe Coutinho were brought in.
The option to buy the 29-year-old for 33 million dollars was included in the deal that brought him to the club, and after the win at Burnley, he made it clear that he wanted to sign the player permanently.
There are noises Villa will be busy in the transfer window once again, with reports Gerrard wants a centre-half, midfielder and a forward.
Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens, the owners of Villa, have invested more than $400 million on signings since taking over the club in the summer of 2018, and they are set to give the manager the power to strengthen his squad.
It will only strengthen the hand of the man.
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