Premier League: Julián Álvarez’s City remains in the lead and a draw Martínez’s Aston Villa wants the Champions League

With 40 slow minutes and a lot of uncertainty, Aston Villawith Emiliano Dibu Martinez in goal, beat Nottingham Forest 4 to 2 at home in a match corresponding to the 26th matchday of the Premier League and thus remains in fourth position, the last one that decides the ranking for the next edition of the championship Champions League. He too triumphed, with some anxiety, Manchester Citythe one with a little bit of Giuliano Alvarez they beat Bournemouth 1-0 as guests and continue to be the second leader’s team Liverpooluntil a certain point.

The cast led by Basque Unai Emery suffered more than necessary to defeat a team fighting to avoid relegation. Despite having built a three-goal lead before the end of the first 40 minutes of action, he then had to suffer the reaction of his rival, who closed the gap and did not allow him to breathe a sigh of relief until the final stretch of the match. duel at Villa Park.

Ollie Watkins, after a great play by the Jamaican Leon Bailey, broke the deadlock in the 4th minute of the first chapter with his 14th goal of the season (he is surpassed only by the Norwegian Erling Haaland, of Manchester City -17-, and the Egyptian Mohamed Salah , from Liverpool -15-). A brace from the Brazilian Douglas Luiz, first with a low right-footed shot from the spot and then with a header, seems to seal the duel.

However, it was the Senegalese Moussa Niakhaté, who pushed the ball into the net after a corner from the right by Morgan Gibbs-White and a header to the far post by the Nigerian Taiwo Awoniyi, who scored in the last maneuver of the first chapter. And at the beginning of the complement Gibbs-White reduced the deficit even more.

The away team were definitely looking for parity, but a goal from Bailey in the 16th minute gave the hosts some peace of mind. In any case, Forest’s search, which had Gonzalo Montiel on the bench, did not stop, even if it proved fruitless.

With this victory, Aston Villa rises to 52 points and is five points ahead of Tottenham, its closest pursuer in the fight for the coveted fourth place, which had to postpone its match on this date because on Sunday it will face Liverpool in the cup final. the English League at Wembley. Nottingham Forest remain on 24 points and are just four points away from relegation.

Manchester United were relegated in the fight for the fourth step of the table, losing 2 to 1 at Old Trafford against Fulham and thus seeing their series of four consecutive victories interrupted. The visit progressed with a goal from Nigerian Calvin Bassey in the 20th minute of the second half, but Harry Maguire equalized in the 44th minute.

It seemed that the Red devilswho had Alejandro Garnacho from the kick-off, would have saved at least a point in this uncomfortable clash, but in the seventh minute of injury time and in a counterattack well managed by Spaniard Adama Traoré, Nigerian Alex Iwobi sealed Fulham’s victory.

In this way United remained stuck in sixth place with 44 points, eight less than Aston Villa. Fulham, worried about other issues, have 32 and remain a reassuring distance from the red zone.

Meanwhile, Brighton & Hove Albion, with Facundo Buonanotte starting (replaced in the 28th minute of the second half by Paraguayan Julio Enciso) but still without Valentín Barco in the team, drew 1-1 at home against Everton.

Jarrad Branthwaite overtook Liverpool, who are trying to climb from the bottom of the table (they are 17th, one point from relegation) and was one step away from achieving a great victory. But in the fifth minute of injury time and with ten men due to the expulsion of Billy Gilmour, the team led by Roberto De Zerbi equalized thanks to a header from captain Lewis Dunk.

City puts pressure on Liverpool

Manchester City (2nd) took the three points with great difficulty in the trip to Bournemouth (14th), but were one point behind the Premier League leaders, Liverpool, who beat Luton 4-1 on Wednesday.

Against a good team led by the Spaniard Andoni Iraola, one of the sensations of the first half of the season in England, City achieved victory with a solitary goal from Phil Foden in the first half (24), who took advantage of the comeback of goalkeeper Neto after a shot from Norwegian Erling Haaland.

Fragile in defence, Pep Guardiola’s men suffered from local attacks in the second half, who could have equalized with a header off the post by Turkish player Enes Unal as time expired (90+1).

With this victory, City rises to 59 points and is one behind Liverpool, who advance to Wednesday as they will play the English League Cup final against Chelsea on Sunday.