WAT a way for Ollie to break Gabby's record

ASTON Villa have qualified for Europe for a third consecutive season, but there will be no pause to celebrate as the race for Champions League qualification intensifies.

- By JOHN TOWNLEY

Villa have piled pressure on Manchester City, Chelsea, Newcastle United, and Nottingham Forest after beating Bournemouth 1-0 at the Vitality Stadium, thanks to Ollie Watkins' goal which made him the club's record Premier League goalscorer.

In doing so, Villa have become the first non-'big six' team to qualify for Europe via their league finish for three successive seasons since they achieved the same feat in 2007/08, 2008/09, and 2009/10.

While a win over Tottenham next Friday could see them jump into the top five, Villa's focus remains clear: returning to the Champions League.

"Fantastic to be in Europe, it is the third year in a row," Emery said in his post-match press conference. "We have a very ambitious objective and we will play matches for it [Champions League].

"I am enjoying the momentum we are in. Players are taking the commitment we need to fight to again be in the top positions in the table. Today we showed it.

"Sometimes you can feel pressure, but try to understand that we will feel it in our process like something positive.