Aston Villa still have work to do to qualify for the Champions League. Nottingham Forest are unlikely to be relegated.
3 days later Europa League semi-final matchVilla and Forest returned to Premier League action, but neither could get the win they really wanted.
Villa were drawn 2-2 by relegated Burnley, leaving them in fifth place, four points ahead of sixth-placed Bournemouth in the race for a top-five spot and Champions League qualification. Both teams still have two games left and must face title-chasing Manchester City.
Villa’s players could consider another route to next season’s Champions League. That is to win the Europa League.
If they do that and finish fifth in the league, the team in sixth place (currently Bournemouth, only two points behind) will also be in the race for the top spot in Europe.
Forest equalized in the 88th minute with a goal from England midfielder Elliott Anderson, drawing 1-1 with Newcastle and moving seven points clear of the relegation zone.
Even if West Ham, who is in third place from the end, loses to Arsenal, who is in first place, Forest will be mathematically safe. Arsenal will be aiming for a win in order to regain the five-point difference over second-place Man City.
In Sunday’s other match, Crystal Palace drew 2-2 with Everton and came from behind to win twice.
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Steve Douglas is https://twitter.com/sdouglas80
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AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
