Tielemans keeps Villa in chase for Champions League place

Birmingham, United Kingdom: Aston Villa climbed back into the race to qualify for the Champions League as Youri Tielemans sealed a crucial 1-0 win against Fulham on Saturday.

Unai Emery´s side couldn´t afford anything less than a victory at Villa Park as the battle for a top five finish in the Premier League approaches a dramatic climax.

Belgian midfielder Tielemans kept them in the hunt with a first half winner that moved seventh-placed Villa level on points with fifth-placed Chelsea and sixth-placed Nottingham Forest.

Villa have just three matches left, while Chelsea and Forest each have a game in hand.

Manchester City´s win over Wolves on Friday had increased the pressure on Villa to get a result against Marco Silva´s men and they rose to the challenge.

Villa produced a dismal display in their 3-0 defeat against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup semi-finals last weekend.

But following their memorable run to the Champions League quarter-finals, Emery is desperate to lead Villa back into Europe´s elite club competition next season.

Villa were without Marcus Rashford after he flew to Dubai to start his rehabilitation from a hamstring injury that is likely to rule him out for the rest of the season.

Ollie Watkins regained his place as Villa´s centre-forward in Rashford´s absence.

Watkins had admitted he was angry to be reduced to a substitute role in both legs of Villa´s Champions League quarter-final loss against Paris Saint-Germain.

Watkins had an early chance to make his point to Emery, but couldn´t keep his header on target.