Rome, 24 May (LaPresse/AP) – A day of thrills and decisive moments in the Premier League. Arsenal sealed the title in the final round and will face Crystal Palace with their minds already on next Saturday’s Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain. Manchester City will finish the season in second place but will still have won the FA Cup. In their home match against Aston Villa, therefore, the home fans’ attention will be entirely focused on Pep Guardiola, in his final game as City manager after 10 years and 20 titles won. But for the battle for Champions League qualification, the match at the Etihad Stadium certainly counts. City have already qualified via the league, whilst Aston Villa – currently fourth – are not only in the Champions League places but have also won the Europa League, which grants entry to Europe’s top competition. Should they be beaten by City, and Liverpool win against Brentford, Emery’s men would drop to fifth place, thereby ‘unlocking’ Champions League qualification for the sixth-placed side as well. Bournemouth (sixth) and Brighton (seventh) will therefore have to give their all to beat Nottingham Forest and Manchester United. Then there is the battle to avoid relegation, involving two historic clubs: Tottenham and West Ham. A win against Everton is enough for Spurs to secure their Premier League status, whilst the Hammers must beat Leeds and hope Tottenham lose.
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