Champions League race heats up as Aston Villa win, Man City drop points

Manchester Metropolis have been held to a shock goalless draw by Premier League basement membership Southampton on Saturday whereas Aston Villa beat Bournemouth because the race for Champions League locations heats up.

Pep Guardiola’s dethroned champions have been anticipated to waltz to a few factors on England’s south coast and pull stage with second-placed Arsenal on 67 factors.

However though the FA Cup finalists dominated possession and had 26 photographs, they may not break their opponents down, regardless of the return of top-scorer Erling Haaland.

Third-placed Metropolis, who play Crystal Palace in subsequent week’s FA Cup closing, stay well-placed to complete within the high 5, which might safe qualification for the Champions League subsequent season.

However Villa, in sixth spot, at the moment are simply two factors behind them, on 63 factors after their 1-0 win at Bournemouth.

“(Southampton have been) enjoying to defend and defend and defend and waste time,” Guardiola advised the BBC. “We take that time nonetheless, it is in our arms.

“Did not count on them to defend so deep. Defensively we have been so good however sadly we missed the final actions.”

There was an explosion of pleasure among the many house followers on the closing whistle though Southampton’s relegation destiny was sealed weeks in the past.

The purpose for managerless Saints takes them to 12 for the season, which means they’ve averted the tag of being the joint-worst workforce in Premier League historical past.

They’re now one level away from Derby’s tally of 11 within the 2007-08 marketing campaign.

“Everybody is aware of it has been a tough season for us,” mentioned Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.

“That one was for the followers and in addition the lads who’ve given every thing. A variety of Mondays coming in after heavy defeats. Right now is a aid.”

Watkins file

Ollie Watkins’ objective within the dying seconds of the primary half gave Villa a slender win at Bournemouth.

In scoring, England ahead Watkins grew to become the membership’s all-time high goalscorer within the Premier League, his seventy fifth objective taking him previous Gabriel Agbonlahor’s tally of 74.

Villa’s Jacob Ramsey was dismissed after a second yellow card with about 10 minutes to go, including a contact of jeopardy.

Antoine Semenyo flashed a shot simply extensive and Emiliano Martinez saved well from Evanilson however the 10-man away aspect held on to safe a vital three factors.

Unai Emery’s workforce, who suffered the crushing disappointment of defeats within the Champions League quarter-finals and FA Cup semi-finals in current weeks, can nonetheless end the season on a excessive.

Elsewhere, Brentford and Brighton each gained to maintain alive their European ambitions.

Brentford beat already relegated Ipswich 1-0 for his or her fourth straight win, climbing to eighth within the desk, which can be sufficient for European soccer subsequent season.

Kevin Schade headed house from Bryan Mbeumo’s nook within the 18th minute for his eleventh Premier League objective of the season.

“I see a powerful workforce on kind, we have now obtained the momentum which is necessary,” mentioned Brentford boss Thomas Frank.

“We’re near ending eighth which might be the perfect place ever within the league. We’re laser-focused on what we are able to do.”

Brighton beat Wolves 2-0 at Molineux and are behind Brentford solely on objective distinction.

Danny Welbeck scored a first-half penalty and Brajan Gruda added a second within the eighty fifth minute to safe the three factors.

Everton beat mid-table Fulham 3-1 courtesy of targets from Vitaliy Mykolenko, Michael Keane and Beto.

Fourth-placed Newcastle host Chelsea, a spot under them, on Sunday, with seventh-placed Forest in motion in opposition to relegated Leicester.

Champions Liverpool play Arsenal, who usually are not but sure of ending within the high 5 regardless of being the closest challengers to Arne Slot’s males this season.