Cherries win would be sweet for Villa's Champions League hopes

ASTON Villa could do with Bournemouth beating Manchester City at the Vitality Stadium tonight.

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Then a place in next season’s European Champions League would be in Villa’s hand as long as they win at Old Trafford in the final match of the season against Manchester United on Sunday.

The top five clubs in the Premier League qualify for the top European competition.

The new champions Liverpool as well as Arsenal have secured their places.

This leaves three more spots from five possible clubs with currently only one point separating them all - in order, Newcastle, Chelsea and Villa on 66 points... Manchester City (with tonight’s game in hand) and Nottingham Forest both on 65 points.

Villa have by far the worst goal dif-ference (plus 9). Currently, Manchester City have the best (plus 24 goals).

The other final day fixtures on Sunday are Newcastle v Everton; Nottingham Forest v Chelsea and Fulham v Manchester City. It is down to the wire.

It's good to play in Europe, but from the Champions League to the Europa League is like Premier League to Championship.

Meanwhile, Coventry City were so unlucky not to make Saturday's Championship play-off, with Sheffield United meeting Sunderland at Wembley.