Aston Villa were at one point seven points adrift of safety in July, but now survival is in sight with Dean Smith’s side 17th going into the final day of the Premier League season.
Tuesday saw a dramatic swing in fortunes for Watford and Villa, and ensured the relegation dogfight would go to the last round of fixtures on Sunday 26 July.
Watford saw their goal difference take a significant hit when losing 4-0 at home to Manchester City, and they ended the evening 18th in the table after Villa beat Arsenal 1-0 thanks to Trezeguet’s first-half winner.
Villa know they are in pole position to preserve their place in the Premier League next season, but Watford and Bournemouth will be hoping otherwise on what will be a nail-biting afternoon.
Final day fixture
Aston Villa head to West Ham for their final fixture of the Premier League season, with kick-off at 4pm BST on Sunday 26 July. All 10 matches take place at the same time, with Watford away at Arsenal and Bournemouth away at Everton.
Relegation permutations
Calculators at the ready, because goal difference could prove crucial. Villa and Watford are locked on 34 points, and there is one goal in it regarding GD.
Villa’s -26 GD means they are just above Watford, who have -27 GD. Bournemouth meanwhile are three points back in 19th with a -27 GD as well.
Just to make the waters murkier, if goal difference is equal come full-time on Sunday, then it will go down to goals scored. With one match remaining, Villa have scored 40 goals, Watford 34, and Bournemouth 37.
So… If Villa beat West Ham they will be safe so long as Watford do not beat Arsenal by a margin of two more goals. I.e. Villa win 1-0, Watford win 2-0 – Villa stay up, but if Villa win 1-0 and Watford 3-0 – Watford stay up.
If Villa draw with West Ham then they must hope Watford draw or lose to Arsenal, while Bournemouth will only escape if they beat Everton and both Villa and Watford lose.
Should Villa lose at West Ham they could still stay up, so long as they do not lose by two more goals than Watford, while they would also need Bournemouth to avoid victory.
Relegation odds
- Bournemouth – 1-25
- Watford – 1-4
- Aston Villa – 2-1
- West Ham – 750-1
Villa team news
Smith will wait to hear of Ahmed Elmohamady’s fitness after the defender limped off and was replaced by Frederic Guilbert in the first half against Arsenal.
That could be the only enforced change Smith makes on Sunday, which could prove to be the final match captain Jack Grealish plays for the club amid links with Manchester United.
“I’m not too sure at the moment,” Grealish told Sky Sports when asked if Tuesday’s win was his final game as a Villa player at Villa Park.
“I have one aim and that is to keep this club in the Premier League, where this whole fanbase know we belong.
“That’s all I’m thinking about at the moment and hopefully we can do that on Sunday.”
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from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/2WKKjkA
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