It really is tough to think of a previous Premier League game of such importance being undercut by this depth of friendship between dugouts. Tim Sherwood and Chris Ramsey know each other inside out. They also know how their careers could be shaped by 90 minutes of football at Villa Park. From living 10 minutes apart in Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire, the pair will be 10 metres away from each other on a touchline in Birmingham, relishing the pressure. The careers of Tim Sherwood (above) and Chris Ramsey (below) could be shaped by 90 minutes on Tuesday . Ramsey's QPR go to the home of Sherwood's Villa for a match that could see them out of the bottom three . A match of this magnitude is what these two English coaches craved during years working together at Tottenham Hotspur, probably believing they would be united in battle. A quirky sequence of events has pitted them on opposite sides instead. Sherwood came close to the QPR job when Harry Redknapp resigned, but Paul Lambert was sacked in the same period and Aston Villa placed the call. Ramsey looked the unlikely choice at Loftus Road but guided QPR to their first away Premier League victory this season at Sunderland, earning the reins until the summer. A second win on the road at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday means QPR can go above Villa with three points on Tuesday night, plunging Sherwood’s team into the relegation zone. The reverse result would take Villa to the precipice of safety, leaving QPR with a fainter glimmer of hope. QPR come into the match with confidence after a convincing 4-1 victory over Villa's neighbours West Brom . Christian Benteke celebrates his goal in Villa's 3-1 defeat by Manchester United on Saturday . It is a sliding doors match, the kind to be looked back upon in months to come as the moment futures were directed, both for clubs and managers. Lose and suffer relegation? Sherwood’s position would come under considerable question, his trajectory as the bright thing of English coaching skewered. Ramsey would likely be shuffled back to a role behind the curtain. Win and survive? Reputation enhanced, the opportunity to lay foundations would be presented. Either way, this pair will share pints again, unpicking the evening when their top-flight statuses came under enormous scrutiny. Neither Sherwood nor Ramsey has been trying to underplay this match, even if one offered a little more bombast than the other. ‘I think this is the biggest game that a lot of these players have ever played for this football club,’ said Sherwood. ‘If I could hype up the pressure even more I would.’ ‘A win would be a fantastic boost for us because it would see us above the line,’ said Ramsey. ‘It would give the fans a lot of hope that we have a chance of staying up.’ Neighbours within 10 minutes and friends, Ramsey (centre) and Sherwood (right) know each other inside out . The pair worked together at Spurs with Les Ferdinand (second right), now QPR's director of football . Under the floodlights, this promises to be a thrilling night of action. Villa Park has already enjoyed that with back-to-back matches in darkness against West Brom. The second victory, in the FA Cup, sparked a pitch invasion. The atmosphere against QPR will be tense and frenetic again. Sherwood will live every moment on the sidelines, Ramsey will be more considered. There are likely to be some telling looks either direction. Both would be inclined to work with each other again. ‘He’s a good pal of mine and a very loyal friend, but it’s been put to one side,’ insisted Sherwood. ‘Considering we worked together for four-five years before, there is going to be some sort of strange feeling,’ said Ramsey. Once the whistle blows it is down to the players, of course. QPR’s will bounce into action off the back of one of their finest performances this season. Villa underwhelmed in defeat at Old Trafford. The Hyatt hotel just off Broad Street brought comfort for Ramsey’s squad during their trip to the Second City three days ago, but Eduardo Vargas, scorer of two in two, will be missing through injury this time. Bobby Zamora, who claimed a wonderful strike at the Hawthorns, has been wrapped in cotton wool over the weekend. QPR will be without Eduardo Vargas, who scored his second in two games against West Brom . Alan Hutton, Ashley Westwood and Scott Sinclair are out for Villa, Tom Cleverley, Aly Cissokho and Kieran Richardson major doubts. Sherwood wants attacking football with a gritty underbelly, Ramsey is likely to map out a plan to threaten on the break. Twice Villa have been beaten late at home under Sherwood, as Ramsey will be aware. Quality may suffer in the circumstances, but excitement should still course through the encounter. High drama awaits. Christian Benteke . Struggled on return form Achilles injury and looked disinterested at times under Lambert, seems to have found his mojo for Sherwood as four goals in four games testifies. Should strike terror into QPR at his best. Fabian Delph . The beating heart of Aston Villa, a demanding, driving bundle of energy in midfield to whom others turn. Scored the breakthrough goal in the Cup tie against West Brom and needs a similar impact here. Fabian Delph is the beating heart of Villa . Ciaran Clark . The 25-year-old has grown in stature this season for Villa, a vocal presence at the back and thoroughly committed. He will be the defender to put in a tackle of substance to get the fans cheering. Charlie Austin . Has now scored 16 Premier League goals this season, a remarkable tally in his debut campaign. Will look to get on the end of any opportunities in the area and has movement to trouble. Joey Barton . Was at his snarling best against West Brom, tackling and passing to dominate midfield. Picked up his eighth booking in ten games but is available against Villa. Much depends on how much he imposes himself. Joey Barton's midfield menace is key for QPR . Bobby Zamora . Produced probably the best goal of his career aged 34 at the Hawthorns and has rested up since. His aching limbs mean training is minimal. But on the pitch he can provide a focal point to attacks and win plenty in the air.
Aston Villa host QPR on Tuesday night in a crucial relegation battle match .
Managers Tim Sherwood and Chris Ramsey to put their friendship aside .
A win for QPR puts them out of the bottom three and above Aston Villa .
Alan Hutton, Ashley Westwood and Scott Sinclair are all out for Villa .
In-form Eduardo Vargas out for QPR while Bobby Zamora's on cotton wool .
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