Champions League race hots up as Man City held, Villa win

Manchester City were held to a shock goalless draw by Premier League basement club Southampton on Saturday while Aston Villa beat Bournemouth as the race for Champions League places hots up.

- Agencies

LONDON:

Pep Guardiola's dethroned champions were expected to waltz to three points on England's south coast and pull level with second-placed Arsenal on 67 points.

But although City dominated possession and had 26 shots, they could not break their opponents down, despite the return of top-scorer Erling Haaland.

Third-placed City, who play Crystal Palace in next week's FA Cup final, remain well-placed to finish in the top five, which would secure qualification for the Champions League next season.

But Villa, in sixth spot, are now just two points behind them, on 63 points -- level with Newcastle and Chelsea, who play each other on Sunday -- after their 1-0 win at Bournemouth.

"(Southampton were) playing to defend and defend and defend and waste time," Guardiola told the BBC. "We take that point still, it's in our hands. Didn't expect them to defend so deep. Defensively we were so good but unfortunately we missed the last actions."