Aston Villa moved into contention for a top‑four finish in the Premier League after a comprehensive 3‑0 victory over Newcastle at Villa Park on Saturday. Ollie Watkins, who has now scored 11 goals in 12 matches, netted twice following an early strike from Jacob Ramsey that gave Unai Emery’s side the lead. Although Villa remain six points behind the top four, they are the form side in the race, having secured seven wins in eight games. Newcastle, who had won their previous five matches to climb to third place, were unable to threaten Villa and now find themselves looking over their shoulder.
Tottenham’s hopes of reaching the top four were dented by a 3‑2 home defeat to Bournemouth. Son Heung‑min gave Spurs an early lead, but the Cherries equalised before half‑time when Matías Viña slipped the ball over Hugo Lloris. Six minutes into the second half, Dominic Solanke put Bournemouth ahead after a deflection from Davinson Sanchez, who had been introduced as a substitute 35 minutes earlier. Sanchez was later hauled off by interim Spurs boss Cristian Stellini before the hour mark and was booed by his own supporters. Arnaut Danjuma seemed to have rescued a point by scoring against his former club two minutes from time, but Dango Ouattara’s 95th‑minute winner lifted Bournemouth six points clear of the relegation zone.
Brighton boosted their European ambitions with a 2‑1 win at Chelsea, extending Frank Lampard’s wait for a first victory since returning to Stamford Bridge as interim manager. A much‑changed Chelsea side, focused on Tuesday’s Champions League quarter‑final second leg against Real Madrid, were booed as their winless run stretched to six games. Conor Gallagher broke the Blues’ 600‑minute goal drought when his shot deflected off Lewis Dunk after 13 minutes, but Brighton dominated thereafter, creating 26 shots on target. Danny Welbeck scored the equaliser just before half‑time, and Paraguayan teenager Julio Enciso sealed the win with a thunderbolt into the top corner 21 minutes from the end. The victory moves Brighton to within seven points of the top four, with a game in hand over Newcastle, whom they still have to face at St James’ Park.
At the bottom of the table, Crystal Palace and Wolves joined Bournemouth in the fight for safety, while Everton endured a 3‑1 home defeat to Fulham. Southampton, under Roy Hodgson, continued their resurgence as Eberechi Eze scored twice in a 2‑0 win at St Mary’s, giving the Eagles their third consecutive victory. Wolves remain seven points clear of the drop zone after a 2‑0 win over Brentford, with goals from Diego Costa and Hwang Hee‑chan. Everton stay outside the relegation zone only on goal difference after Harrison Reed, Harry Wilson and Dan James scored to end Fulham’s five‑game losing streak.
In the title race, Manchester City can narrow the gap on Arsenal to three points when they host Leicester later at the Etihad, as the defending champions aim to extend their winning run to ten games.
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