Chelsea secured a vital 1-0 win against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Friday through Marc Cucurella's goal, while Aston Villa defeated Tottenham 2-0 at Villa Park, as both teams strengthened their Champions League qualification hopes by moving ahead of Manchester City into the top five positions of the Premier League.
Chelsea moved into fourth place and can guarantee their Champions League return after a two-year absence by beating Nottingham Forest in their final league game.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The Blues also have a chance to secure silverware in the Europa Conference League final against Real Betis on May 28.
"Now only two games left to achieve something special. Today is a moment to enjoy because we work all season for these moments so now we have ambitions to achieve these things," said Cucurella.
United, sitting 16th in the table, suffered their 18th league defeat despite manager Ruben Amorim fielding a strong lineup before their Europa League final against Tottenham.
"Today was a really good game to prepare the final. Almost 10 days without playing for me would be a mistake. It was a good thing for them to play, to feel that they can do it. We can control the game, we can have possession, we can push the opponent. But in the end, in this club and any club you need to win and we are not winning," Amorim stated.
Chelsea played without a recognised striker due to Nicolas Jackson's suspension and Christopher Nkunku's injury, with teenager Tyrique George stepping in as a makeshift forward.
Harry Maguire's goal from Bruno Fernandes' cross was ruled offside by VAR, while Reece James hit the post for Chelsea before halftime.
United's Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes missed chances against Mount's former club in the second half.
A VAR review overturned a penalty decision for Chelsea after initially ruling against Andre Onana's challenge on George.
Cucurella scored his seventh goal of the season in the 70th minute, heading in from James' cross.
Noni Madueke missed a chance to extend Chelsea's lead after Cole Palmer's setup, while United's only shot on target came from Amad Diallo.
Aston Villa's Champions League hopes received a boost with their 2-0 win over Tottenham, featuring second-half goals from Ezri Konsa and Boubacar Kamara.
Villa need Manchester City to lose one of their remaining two matches and must win their final game against Manchester United to secure a top-five finish.
"We won and we are on a run but still have work to do. We have to ready. We have a chance to play in the Champions League," Emery said.
"We were consistent, demanding and when we scored the first goal, they gave up. We needed to manage the 90 minutes and we worked it well."
"We are in a good moment. We are being demanding. We can get Champions League -- fantastic."
Tottenham, currently 17th, fielded a weakened team ahead of their Europa League final against Manchester United in Bilbao.
The London club faces their worst finish since 1976-77, remaining winless in their last six league matches.
Postecoglou rested key players including Dominic Solanke, Cristian Romero, and Rodrigo Bentancur, while missing injured players Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, and Lucas Bergvall.
Son Heung-min's early curling shot went over the bar, while Wilson Odobert's back-heeled attempt was saved by Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez.
Morgan Rogers tested Tottenham goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky with a flick before Konsa broke the deadlock in the 59th minute from McGinn's corner.
Watkins nearly doubled Villa's lead, but Kinsky produced another save.
Kamara secured the victory in the 73rd minute with a powerful shot after receiving Rogers' pass.
Villa's victory keeps them in contention for their first Champions League appearance since winning the European Cup in 1982.
Manchester City, who face Crystal Palace in Saturday's FA Cup final, have a game in hand against Bournemouth on Tuesday.
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