Under way in the late games.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Defeat in Toulouse earlier this month made Liverpool's task of guaranteeing top spot in the group - and thereby avoiding a play-off round in the knockout stages - slightly more difficult.

But it could be secured at home to LASK if Union Saint-Gilloise beat the second-placed Ligue 1 side.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp rejected suggestions that result was a reminder that his much-changed European sides have standards to maintain.

"It was not needed but it wasn't helpful," said Klopp.

"It was three weeks ago and a lot of things happened since then. It just made the situation more difficult, that's how it is.

"Toulouse was maybe a one-off performance-wise - it was around Luton (a 1-1 draw) which was not too great either - but this was in a very short period of time.

"Besides that the boys usually perform and that's what we should concentrate on."

Aston Villa

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery speaking to TNT Sports: "We have to manage the players and we want to win today. We want to be first in the group."

Is Watkins' absence injury or to rest him? "Both. He had yesterday small pain. Not very strong. We decided as well to rest him."

On tonight's match: "Every match is difficult to win and we played against Legia and we lost and we have played here and won very difficult matches.

"We have a chance to play against Legia and to improve and show we are winning and progress [to the next round]. For us it is important to be first in the group and qualify for the next round. We want to be learning. This is a good chance for us to show it."

Image source, Getty Images

Pepe Reina, goalkeeper for Villarreal, is set to make his 189th appearance in Europe by featuring in the Group F fixture against Panathinaikos.

This will make him the player with the second all-time appearances in Uefa club history.

The 41-year-old has played for the likes of Barcelona, Liverpool and Napoli and shows no sign of slowing down.

On the list he sits behind Cristiano Ronaldo, with 197 appearances, and above Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas.

Michael Owen
Former Liverpool striker on TNT Sports

I would guess Endo would be slightly disappointed at the moment. There's no natural sitting midfielder yet they're moving Mac Allister in the big games. If he has a good game tonight then he may start at the weekend.

Liverpool

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, speaking to TNT Sports: "We know it would be a big step tonight. We have to create an atmosphere on the pitch and in the stands. It's pretty chilly so that means we have to run. We have to work hard and play football.

"The last two games we've not been as good as we could be. We try to work on that. If we create then we can score. We have to make sure we are defending properly. Just make sure we win the game."

Michael Owen
Former Liverpool striker on TNT Sports

There's a lot of changes but Liverpool aren't playing kids. There's still a lot of household names in the team.

You'd expect them to go and win tonight.

Ian Kennedy
Reporter, BBC Radio Merseyside Sport

Jurgen Klopp’s focus will now be on the Europa League game against LASK and, although he has a few injury concerns to deal with, it seems clear the Reds are very much in a title race - one of the most open we’ve seen for a while.

While injuries will test the squad over the coming weeks, it's worth remembering that the likes of Ibou Konate, Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, Ryan Gravenberch and Harvey Elliott were all on the bench for the 1-1 draw at Manchester City.

In terms of strength in depth, Liverpool seem well placed to navigate themselves through this next important phase of the season.

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo is eyeing silverware in his first full season at the club.

Jurgen Klopp's team failed to lift a major trophy last year but have started well in the Premier League, are in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals and will qualify for the Europa League knockout stages with a win over LASK at Anfield.

"We are in a different situation to last year," Gakpo said. "I think we are doing good at the moment [but] obviously we can do better.

"We are working hard and we are improving. We are in a good moment, I would say. I think what we want to achieve this season is to win trophies together.

"We are on the right track, but we have to keep going and keep winning the games."

Good news, Aston Villa fans... you're through to the Europa Conference League knockout rounds.

AZ Alkmaar beat Zrinjski Mostar 1-0 in the early game, which was the result Villa needed to be sure.

Villa will win the group and a place in the last 16 if they beat Legia by two goals or more. Legia will do likewise with any win. They're not through themselves yet.

Emma Smith
BBC Sport at Anfield

The LASK away contingent, almost all clad in black, is large and already very loud.

As the line-ups were announced over the Anfield PA, each Liverpool player was greeted with a resounding boo.

LASK lost their first three games in Group E, but beat Union SG last week and a shock win tonight would put them right in contention to qualify.

Joe Cole
Ex-Chelsea and England midfielder on TNT Sports

"Tomas Soucek is a player playing to his attributes. He is a very good finisher. He is on fire. He turns up at the big moments and you can rely on him in all of the important moments."

Image source, .

Liverpool will advance to the last 16 as group winners if they win and Toulouse - who entertain Union Saint-Gilloise (20:00 GMT) - do not.

The Reds' final group game is away in Belgium to Union St Gilloise on 14 December.

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery says they will be seeking "revenge" for their defeat in Poland.

Villa lost 3-2 at Legia in the opening Europa Conference League group game, but they have won all three games since and sit on nine points with their Polish opponents.

"They were feeling strong at home and we lost because we deserved it," said Emery.

"For us, it was a very good example of the difficulties of this competition.

"We want to face this match trying to get a small amount of revenge for the match we played there, trying to impose our capacity, our skill and our gameplan on the pitch."

Villa need to beat Legia to realise their hopes of finishing top. The Europa Conference League factors in head-to-head record before goal difference, so the Polish side have the edge.

The group winners go into the last 16, while the team who finish second have to play two extra games - a play-off round to reach the last 16.

Reaction from the early games to come but time to look ahead to the 8pm kick-offs.

Steve Sidwell
Former Brighton midfielder on TNT Sports

The adventure continues and what an adventure it is for Brighton.

It wasn't pretty but West Ham have now won a fourth game in a row.

Shout out to Maxwel Cornet. The substitute's delivery for the goal was wonderful.

Job done. The Hammers are in pole position in Group A with one round of games to go.

It's all over.

Brighton are into the Europa League knockout stages. They will know what round exactly after their final game with Marseille.