Villa end European exile as victory over Brighton secures 7th
ASTON Villa ended a 13-year European exile after a nervy 2-1 home win over Brighton on Sunday.
First-half strikes from Douglas Luiz and Ollie Watkins ensured Villa finished seventh in the Premier League.
Deniz Undav pulled one back - having also had a goal disallowed for offside - but the Seagulls were unable to find a leveller.
Seventh represents a triumph for Villa boss Unai Emery, having taken over a relegation-threatened side in October following Steven Gerrard’s sacking.
Villa have been transformed, booking their highest Premier League finish for 13 years, and with it a route into the Europa Conference League.
The Seagulls, in the third tier 12 years ago, are also heading to Europe for the first time following their historic season.
Second-placed Arsenal thrashed Wolves 5-0 at the Emirates Stadium, where Granit Xhaka netted a brace and Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Jakub Kiwior also got on the scoresheet.
Manchester United secured third place as they came from behind to beat Fulham 2-1 at home.
The Cottagers led through a 19th-minute Kenny Tete goal, then failed to take the chance to make it 2-0 seven minutes later as Aleksandar Mitrovic saw his penalty saved by David de Gea.
Jadon Sancho subsequently drew things level before Bruno Fernandes struck the winner 10 minutes into the second half.
Fourth-placed Newcastle drew 1-1 at Chelsea, with Anthony Gordon’s early opener for the Magpies being cancelled out by a Kieran Trippier own goal just before the halfhour mark. The Blues end their troubled season in 12th place.
Already-relegated Southampton signed off from the top flight by playing out a remarkable 4-4 draw with fifthplaced Liverpool at St Mary’s, in which they fought back from 2-0 down to lead 4-2.
Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino - playing his final game before leaving Liverpool - had Jürgen Klopp’s men two goals up early on before things turned around via a James Ward-Prowse finish, Kamaldeen Sulemana brace and Adam Armstrong effort. Cody Gakpo and Jota then hit back for Liverpool to see the game end up all-square.
Sunday’s other match also finished honours even, with Will Hughes’ second-half goal securing a 1-1 draw for Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park against Nottingham Forest, for whom Taiwo Awoniyi had scored a sixth goal in four games. The Seagulls then wasted a chance to hit back immediately when Evan Ferguson was sent clear, but he blazed over.