For one side victory is worth around £1m, for another it is priceless.
Villa against Newcastle is top of the bill on what has been dubbed Survival Sunday but to many Villans this game is nothing more than a fairground attraction.
It has no real meaning to those in Claret and Blue but for the fact that they can relegate a side who they have never really considered as a close friend.
A win would of course give Martin O'Neill's men carte blanche to say they have improved as they would beat the 60 point total achieved last season and probably finish ahead of Everton in fifth.
But for Alan Shearer and his beloved Newcastle, this game is as big as they come.
A draw would be good enough to save the Magpies if Hull lose at home to a weakened Manchester United side.
However, in reality, Shearer needs a win. And to be fair, the former England centre forward may have come to the right place.
Villa have been notoriously poor at home throughout the season and their recent form has been simply abysmal.
The back four have allowed many a bus to pass through their midst and many of the first XI seem to have one eye on their holiday destinations.
Nevertheless, there is one man still very much with his eye on the prize.
Big John Carew, a tormentor of the Geordie hoards last season with a second half hat trick in the second city, is at the top of his game right now.
The Norwegian star has refused to accept that Villa's season finished at the start of February. Since then he has bagged a stunning eight goals in 16 games and his all round play has been a joy to behold.
Appetite
In fact, Shearer may see a little of himself in Villa's number 10.
Carew not only has the ability to hassle defenders and win everything in the air, but he is also on the end of most things that come into the box.
The Hulk like front man possesses the ability and the consistent appetite that could send Newcastle down. They must beware.
For O'Neill and his men, this game is not hugely important. The manager clearly knows that - no matter how persuasive he is to the media in regards of how much effort will be expended on Sunday.
A £1m prize pot for finishing fifth as oppose to sixth would be nice. So too would a seventh home win of the season. But these aims are not critical.
For Newcastle it is pretty much win or bust.
Shearer will be relying on his former England strike partner Michael Owen to notch the goal or two which could keep his side in the Premier League.
The diminutive ex-Liverpool man is almost certain to be fit and he will more than likely start in a 4-3-3 formation. Newcastle are going out and maybe down with all guns blazing - and why not?
If Villa have one huge weakness - it is in the centre of defence and Shearer along with the rest of the top flight realises that.
Sofa
His days spent on the cosy Match of the Day sofa will have given him a good idea - if not a perfect one - of what he is up against.
But, as much football as he has watched on television, Shearer cannot buy the experience of his opposite number – the wily old fox O'Neill.
The Northern Irishman, who has taken charge of 772 games over the course of his career, has deliberately not phoned his former BBC colleague ahead of this game, which illustrates how sympathetic he is to Shearer's situation.
To be fair, Villa could have been in the same predicament had they started their atrocious run a little sooner. Consequently, the boss has good reason to empathise.
O’Neill has injury worries to contend with as Ashley and Luke Young are both doubtful for the game. That means James Milner may revert to right-back with Craig Gardner and Emile Heskey on stand-by.
Gareth Barry will play what could be his last game for Villa and Gabby Agbonlahor will be looking to end a poor second half of the season on a high note.
Villa have something to play for but whether they are actually that bothered about achieving their aims remains to be seen.
Newcastle will definitely be out to achieve theirs but can they really pull off a great escape at a ground where they lost 4- l last season?
On a day of uncertainty one thing is for sure - this is going to be a cracking encounter.