Olaleye Idowu
On Friday night, the two Premier League fixtures had a huge bearing on the race to finish in Champions League places.
Aston Villa beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 at Villa Park, and Chelsea edged Manchester United 1-0 at Stamford Bridge.
There will be six English teams in the competition next season – the clubs that finish in top five and one of Manchester United or Tottenham Hotspur (who face each other in the Europa League final).
Villa’s win initially took them into the top five, until Marc Cucurella headed in the winner against United.
“It’s a very crucial three points for Villa,” Adada Oluwagbenga, a broadcaster with Breez 91.9 FM tells Urban Express News Online
“As it stands, Newcastle, Aston Villa and Chelsea all stand on 66 points, with Newcastle playing a game less.
“Man City is behind with 65 with a game less too – they have been undone by the draw at Southampton last week.
“But then, as it stands, every team in the top five stands a chance to qualify for the next season’s Champions League.
“So I’m not entirely sure much will change if they maintain the status quo.”
At the end of the night, second to fifth places are Arsenal, Newcastle United, Chelsea and Aston Villa.
Manchester City, who host Bournemouth next week, have dropped out for now.
Interestingly, on Sunday evening, Arsenal welcome Newcastle to the Emirates in their last home fixture of the campaign.
“Two points separate Arsenal and Newcastle – 68 and 66 points respectively,” Adava points out.
“Arsenal have faltered recently and lost ground from a seemingly unattainable position. But now, they stand a chance of losing that, and I’m sure the players realised that.
“The loss to Bournemouth was unnecessary, and while the comeback against champions Liverpool was somewhat heroic, they wouldn’t have needed to do that if they had done their homework.
“Against Newcastle, they will be playing in front of their fans, and they are pretty solid at home, while Newcastle aren’t exactly fabulous travellers.
“Arsenal knows what is at stake, and I think they are going to win.”
As it stands, only Liverpool are guaranteed to play in the Champions League. Arsenal looks like they will make it, along with Newcastle.
This means a top team will lose out.
“One of Aston Villa or Chelsea – if the former counts as a big team – maybe it would have been better to have said which of the teams in the top six,” Adava adds.
