The latest Aston Villa news as we take a look at the race for the Premier League's top five
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Unai Emery
Aston Villa can still qualify for Champions League football next season
(Image: Getty Images)
Aston Villa have been handed a blow in their hopes of playing Champions League football next season.
Manchester City, who needed to lose to hand Unai Emery's side a boost in their push for European football, secured a 3-1 victory over Bournemouth. Omar Marmoush scored the opening goal in the 14th minute before Bernardo Silva doubled the lead shortly before the break.
Nico Gonzalez netted the third goal in the second half, during which Mateo Kovacic and Lewis Cook were both sent off. Daniel Jebbison scored the visitors' only goal in stoppage time.
Pep Guardiola’s team climbed to third in the table - just three points behind second-placed Arsenal. Villa, currently sixth, are now two points behind City with only one game remaining in the season.
The race for a top-five finish has been intense in recent weeks, with Newcastle United, Chelsea, and Villa all level on 66 points. It all comes down to the final day.
Friday night saw both Villa and their Champions League rivals Chelsea in action. While Villa hosted Tottenham, the Blues welcomed Manchester United to Stamford Bridge, with a 45-minute gap between the two kick-offs.
The 2-0 win moved Villa into fourth place with Chelsea finding the winner through Marc Cucurella. Following results elsewhere, Villa dropped to sixth place ahead of the final day.
On the final day, third-placed Newcastle will host Everton at St James' Park, while Chelsea travel to the East Midlands to face Nottingham Forest.
As it stands
1. Liverpool - 83 points
2. Arsenal - 71 points
3. Man City - 68 points (+27 GD)
4. Newcastle United - 66 points (+22 GD)
5. Chelsea - 66 points (+20 GD)
6. Aston Villa - 66 points (+9 GD)
7. Nottingham Forest - 65 points (+13 GD)
Permutations
A win for Villa against United next weekend would take them to 69 points. Since Forest can only reach a maximum of 68 with a win in their final game, Villa would be out of Forest's reach.
Chelsea's win over United means they too can finish on 69 points if they beat Forest in their final match. However, Chelsea currently have a superior goal difference to Villa.
As a result, a draw or Forest win at the City Ground would guarantee Villa a Champions League spot - provided they beat United. Villa could also qualify if Manchester City lose to Fulham.
If Villa draw with United, they would finish on 67 points and would then need two of Chelsea, City, or Forest to drop points in their remaining games.
A defeat to United would leave Villa outside the Champions League qualifications places regardless of results elsewhere.
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