Aston Villa have it all to do if they are going to qualify for the Champions League for a second successive season
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Erling Haaland of Manchester City acknowledges the fans, as he warms up during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at Etihad Stadium on May 02, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Erling Haaland is available for Manchester City(Image: Getty Images)
Aston Villa travel to Bournemouth with virtually no head-room in their pursuit of the Champions League places.
Villa take on the Cherries at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday evening, kick-off 5.30pm, and will do so without Youri Tielemans and Marcus Rashford.
They will also do so in seventh place, already three points shy on the top five and with an inferior goal difference to the teams above them.
However, the situation remains very tight, Unai Emery’s men are only one point behind Nottingham Forest in sixth, three behind Newcastle United and Chelsea – who meet at St James’ Park- and four behind in-form Man City.
With three games to go they have little room for slip-ups. Here BirminghamLive rounds-up what going on at Villa’s rivals.
Southampton vs Man City (Saturday, 3pm)
Pep Guardiola is not taking anything for granted against a Saints team that have collected just 11 points in a dismal return to the top flight.
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He said: “We start 0-0 and it’s a massively important game for us. There are just three games left and after this it is two. We have huge respect for them.
“There are six or seven teams who can qualify so we have to make our points and if we make three victories we will be there. It is in our hands. We don’t need to wait on anything else.
“Win one game, then the next one and the next one.”
City are buoyed by the return of Erling Haaland, who has not played since March: “He’s ready, he’s fit. Whether he starts, we’ll decide tomorrow,” Guardiola said.
Get your hands on AVFC 150 years merchandise
Aston Villa is marking its 150th anniversary throughout the 2024/2025 season, celebrating a century and a half of history, football and community.
Here's what items are available to buy to celebrate the club's historic season from its official store:
Aston Villa adidas 150th Anniversary Shirt 24-25 (£55)
The aforementioned blacked-out anniversary kit has proven to be hugely popular with fans, particularly those who have noticed the subtle nods to Villa's history in the details.
Due to the high demand, the club store currently only has kids sizes 7 - 9 years old in stock at a price of £55. This item has an 'almost gone' tag on the site.
Buy here.
Aston Villa adidas 150th Anniversary Track Top - Claret (£70)
This long sleeve track top has also proven to be a popular pick amongst fans. The club store describes the jacket by saying:
"Before football players take the pitch for warmups, they answer questions from the media wearing an adidas jacket like this one. It's made of a soft woven fabric to keep you comfortable anywhere the day takes you.
AEROREADY helps keep you dry and comfortable whether you're hanging with friends or watching the game from the sidelines."
Buy here.
Aston Villa 150 Year Anniversary Hoodie - Navy (£45)
Featuring a retro club badge, this hoodie is still available in all Mens' sizes on the club store, which describes the item by saying "Relax in style and comfort. Featuring the iconic club crest, this is an essential item for fans of all ages."
This item is also available in claret for both men and women, though only in sizes XL and S for women limited stock left.
Buy navy here and claret here.
Aston Villa 150 Years in Pictures Book (£25)
The first of two books available to purchase in Villa's 150th season. The describes the picture book as a way to "Celebrate the storied history of Aston Villa and their illustrious history spanning a century and a half with this premium-quality photo book."
Buy here.
Aston Villa 150 Years Book Volume Two (£40)
The long-awaited second volume moves Aston Villa's remarkable story forward – with the ups and downs between 1950 and 2024 given the same care and attention as the first volume. Even more pin-sharp images, artefacts and stories are featured, alongside stand-out interviews with some of the players and managers that make this club so great.
Buy here.
Aston Villa 150 Year Anniversary Polo Shirt - White (£30)
"Represent your club wherever you go. Suitable for matchday and casual wear, the polo is perfect for fans of all ages."
This item is available in all sizes but XS on the club store and is also available for kids in claret at a higher price of £35.
Buy the mens' polo here and the kids' claret polo here.
Aston Villa 150 Year Anniversary T-Shirt - Claret and Navy (£25)
"Suitable for wearing on matchdays and beyond, this is a must-have for supporters of all ages. Perfect for walks with the dog, or when relaxing on holiday, the t-shirt allows you to proudly sport your pride and passion."
Buy mens' claret here, womens' claret here and navy here.
Aston Villa 150 Years Anniversary Scarf - Claret (£15)
"Take the love for your team with you. The scarf tops off your winter look, and is an essential item for supporters."
Buy the scarf here.
Aston Villa 150 Years Badge & Keyring Set - Boxed (£15)
Display the love for your team. Perfect for your hat or scarf, this is a must-have for fans of all ages.
Buy the set here.
Aston Villa 150 Years Mug - 11oz (£8)
"Start your day off right with a drink from this. Whether it's tea, coffee or hot chocolate this mug is perfect for fans to enjoy an exquisite beverage."
Buy the mug here.
Newcastle v Chelsea (Sunday, 12pm)
Eddie Howe says Champions League football is an expetaction for Newcastle – despite winning the Carabao Cup.
“We feel an expectation, certainly internally, to try to deliver Champions League football,” Howe said.
“Winning the cup final, I think, gave us a freedom and a new-found confidence off the back of achieving that – that gave us a bounce in the next few games. We elevated our performance off the back of that.
“But that feels like it was, in football terms, quite a while ago and now we have to still use and take that confidence, but now we have to focus on these last three games knowing, for me, just how good the team can be. We have to set our expectations very high of ourselves.”
Newcastle have doubts over two unnamed players.
Meanwhile Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is relieved the Blues’ midfield injury problems have lifted. Romeo Lavia – who has started back-to-back matches for the first time since November having missed virtually all of last season – has had a transformational effect on Chelsea’s ability to control the middle of the pitch, while Cole Palmer was back to his best against Liverpool and Enzo Fernandez and Player of the Season Moises Caicedo are playing their best football since arriving
“Against Liverpool we repeated the first XI (for the first time) after six months. It’s important when you can continue with the same players. We have Romeo back fit, Moises is doing well, Enzo and Cole are doing well. (Newcastle) also have Bruno Guimaraes, Tonali, (Jacob) Murphy, (Joe) Willock. They have different kinds of players. I expect for sure a huge game.”
Maresca’s team go into Sunday’s game level on points and on goal difference with Newcastle and have hit form at just the right moment, winning six of their last nine in the league.
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Nottingham Forest vs Leicester (Sunday, 2.15pm)
Nuno Espirito Santo is worried his players will be distracted by the game at St James' Park, which starts 105 minutes before events get under way at the City Ground.
“The timing is going to upset our warm-up because the player is going to be on the TV looking at the game for sure, that is the only thing that is concerning,” Nuno said.
“It is impossible (to keep them away from it) with phones and TVs, it is better to see. It doesn’t matter, we can’t control it. It is about us.
“The ifs I take out of my head, I don’t work on them, I try to avoid them. Expectations and perceptions of reality is what messes with your mind.”
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Callum Hudson-Odoi has been ruled out of the Foxes clash and may not play again this season, defender Murillo: “Is doing part of the training session, not the full session.”
Will Villa reach the top five? Have your say here