Summary

  1. Back tomorrow morning!published at 16:00 British Summer Time 15 May

    Joe Rindl
    BBC Sport

    And that's today's live done. Always a pleasure entertaining you - and many thanks to Phil McNulty for today's Q&A answers.

    I'll be getting an early night as tomorrow's live text up will be up at 07:00 BST sharp.

    On it we'll be building up to Saturday's FA Cup final, the weekend's Premier League action, and chatting FPL. Worth taking a break from your exam revision to follow along!

  2. Top-five finish is in Chelsea's handspublished at 15:57 British Summer Time 15 May

    Chelsea

    So Chelsea, in fifth place, are in the box seat in their battle with Aston Villa (sixth) and Nottingham Forest (seventh) to finish in a Champions League place.

    Enzo Maresca's side cannot mathematically clinch a top-five spot before their match at Forest on the final day.

    But if they win at home to Manchester United and both Villa (Tottenham at home) and Forest (West Ham away) lose their matches this weekend then their superior goal difference would make it all but certain.

    Should Chelsea win, Villa lose and Forest draw, the Londoners would have to lose their season finale at the City Ground by at least four goals to be caught.

    Enzo MarescaImage source, Getty Images
  3. Rearranged game was 'not what Villa wanted'published at 15:54 British Summer Time 15 May

    Aston Villa v Tottenham (Fri, 19:30 BST)

    Aston Villa

    Tottenham's game at Villa Park was rearranged just 10 days before the actual fixture and Aston Villa weren't best pleased.

    Their director of football operations Damian Vidagany said there was "clear prejudice" against the club in the decision, but hoped that would be remembered if they needed help with fixture scheduling in the future.

    "Fixture changed and honestly, not happy," Vidagany posted on social media. "But it could be even worse. We really pushed - everyone in the club at different levels - with solid and fair grounds to protect our fans (our main task and duty) and keep the Spurs match on Sunday. Nothing against Spurs.

    "We didn't feel this support last season or this one. European football is not only demanding for English clubs on the verge of the finals."

    Vidagany added that moving the game to the Friday was the "least damaging" option they could get, with Wednesday or Thursday considered as alternatives.

    Villa's director of football Monchi added that the switch "was not what they wanted" and that fans "didn't deserve" the disruption.

  4. Chelsea likely to pip Villa to top-five place - Optapublished at 15:52 British Summer Time 15 May

    Opta's top-seven prediction

    Here's Opta'a prediction, in case you missed our earlier post.

    The table shows the percentage chances of finishing positions for each team currently in the top seven.

    If the final two games follow Opta's prediction then Chelsea would pip Aston Villa to fifth place:

    • 1st - Liverpool 100%
    • 2nd - Arsenal 78.1%
    • 3rd - Manchester City 42.7% [31.2% chance they could drop to 4th]
    • 4th - Newcastle United 33.1% [30.8% chance they could finish 3rd]
    • 5th - Chelsea 33.1% [26.9% chance they could end up 6th]
    • 6th - Aston Villa 38.0% [25.8% chance they could move up to 5th]
    • 7th - Nottingham Forest 59.2% [only a 13.2% chance of finishing 5th]
  5. What do sides need to finish above Villa?published at 15:50 British Summer Time 15 May

    Aston Villa's vastly inferior goal difference [+7] means that they must rely on other teams dropping points to move up, from their current position in sixth, into the top five.

    Should Villa win their final two games - at home to Tottenham and away to Manchester United - then the sides above them would realistically only need to match their final tally of 69 points to be sure of finishing above them.

    Here is what each team needs to finish on 69 points:

    • Arsenal - One point from Newcastle h, Southampton a
    • Newcastle - Three points from Arsenal a, Everton h
    • Manchester City - Four points from Bournemouth h, Fulham a
    • Chelsea - Six points from Manchester United h, Nottingham Forest a
  6. Top-five race reminder - How they standpublished at 15:47 British Summer Time 15 May

    Could goal difference prove important?

    Premier League table graphic
  7. Villa have 'responded well' to challenging schedule - Emerypublished at 15:44 British Summer Time 15 May

    Aston Villa v Tottenham (Fri, 19:30 BST)

    Aston Villa

    Final bit from Unai Emery, here's the Aston Villa boss on the spirit in his squad: "I'm so happy with the players that we have. In the second half of the season we are performing better and getting more points. We are feeling stronger.

    "The players we added in January helped us get the commitment we need to get to our best. To be consistent, being so demanding in everything and so focused on each moment, it's really fantastic.

    "In the past two years we have played more or less 55 matches in different competitions, but I like to play in Europe, to get prestige collectively for the club.

    "It's something we are not celebrating now because we can hopefully get Champions League again, but we are so happy to play in Europe and the team has responded very well.

    "Until January/February we were more or less inconsistent. After that we have got better, felt stronger and recovered players. Now I want to enjoy, I want to play matches and I want to watch how the team is responding collectively and individually. I want to continue trying to get our objective."

  8. Phil McNulty Q&A: Do Liverpool's owners get enough credit?published at 15:41 British Summer Time 15 May

    Phil McNulty
    BBC Sport chief football writer

    Liverpool's Principle Owner John Henry interacts with Virgil van DijkImage source, Getty Images

    Luke, Somerset (LFC fan): Hi Phil, with Liverpool's success, how much do you think can be attributed to manager selection vs FSG's ownership of the club? I know they're not completely unrelated, but everyone goes on about the poor teams' ownerships, whereas only Liverpool's manager seems to get credit. I think FSG have done a dream job since they took over.

    Phil: Hi Luke. For all the criticism FSG get in some quarters, just look at the success and the turnaround during their stewardship. They have appointed well and run the club on very sensible, and more pertinently successful, lines.

    They have chosen superbly when it comes to managers, or should I say, put the people in place who chose superbly. Remember the “who’s he?” from a lot of people when Arne Slot was appointed? They certainly now know after he was a Premier League title winner in his first season.

  9. Postpublished at 15:40 British Summer Time 15 May

    Joe Rindl
    BBC Sport

    Thinking of making my own Championship prediction but I know it will come back to bite me!

    I reckon whoever loses the play-off final will have a really good chance of going up.

    There, that safe enough?

  10. Phil McNulty Q&A: What is going to happen in the Championship next year?published at 15:35 British Summer Time 15 May

    Phil McNulty
    BBC Sport chief football writer

    Fred, Suffolk: Hi Phil, hope you're well. What on earth is going to happen in the Championship next year? If Sheffield United win the final then it looks to me like the first season in as long as I can remember with no favourites. The best side might even be Birmingham. I personally don't see any of the relegated clubs running away with it like the last couple of times, but what do you reckon? Thanks as always.

    Phil: Hello, Fred. I think Birmingham City will have a real crack at it and who knows where the Wrexham story will end? Don’t ask me why but I can see Jamie Vardy there.As for those going down, Kieran McKenna will feel confident he can get Ipswich Town back up, but Southampton and Leicester City will depend on what happens behind the scenes, with Saints seeking a new manager and Ruud van Nistelrooy in jeopardy at The King Power Stadium.One thing is always certain with the Championship. It will be a great division.

  11. Phil McNulty Q&A: 'Moyes needs to prioritise getting goals into the Everton team'published at 15:31 British Summer Time 15 May

    Phil McNulty
    BBC Sport chief football writer

    Dominic Calvert-LewinImage source, Getty Images

    Barry, Bournemouth: Hi Phil. Ahead of an emotional final game at Goodison, we shouldn’t overlook the massive turnaround made in the club under Moyes that means fans can enjoy the day without worrying about the need for points. Everton could finish the season in 13th - something we’d have hardly dared believe in January - and my question is what does Moyes need to prioritise to help the club push on next season, and are there any of the numerous players coming to the end of contracts that you would want to keep if the terms were right?

    Phil: Hi, Barry. Moyes needs to prioritise getting goals into the Everton team – it’s the very obvious flaw in a team has been reasonably solid defensively. I must admit I wouldn’t be in a rush to keep too many of those out of contract, but obviously Moyes has to keep some of them, otherwise there would be hardly anyone left. I would attempt to keep Idrissa Gueye, who is still doing a fine job, even though he is 36 in September. I remain to be convinced about Carlos Alcaraz, although Everton may feel that a £15m fee constitutes a deal worth doing.

    Dominic Calvert-Lewin? I’m really interested to see what sort of club comes in for him, given his wretched injury record. Will it be the sort of club he wants? If this does not materialise and he wants to stay at Everton, then the club should say it will be on their terms – which I am sure would be reasonable. I would definitely keep Seamus Coleman at Everton, whether in a playing or coaching capacity, as he embodies what Everton should be about. Probably just as emergency cover, if this is as a player – but definitely keep. Not sure Jesper Lindstrom or Jack Harrison have shown enough, while the talented Armando Broja is simply not worth the risk given his injury problems.

  12. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 15:27 British Summer Time 15 May

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Re Vic 14:41...i think we all agree in the main but this wasn't a tight decision...he was over 2 yards offside. It's the clear and obvious offsides that need a flag. Let them do their job!

    Rob, Northampton

  13. Emery 'can't waste time' thinking about Champions League permutationspublished at 15:24 British Summer Time 15 May

    Aston Villa v Tottenham (Fri, 19:30 BST)

    Aston Villa

    Aston Villa boss Unai Emery on his side's hopes of securing Champions League qualification: "We are in a very good moment after a long season. Now we are very motivated, very excited to play at Villa Park tomorrow.

    "It's not in our hands but we have an option to play in the Champions League again and we're focusing on Tottenham.

    "I can't waste time with calculations about what is coming. Only tomorrow's match and how we get the three points is our responsibility. This is our focus, this is how I speak with the players.

    "We will need the supporters, the energy, the wishes - we have to connect with our supporters again in Villa Park, enjoy playing, competing and doing our best.

    "Hopefully we can fight until the last match to play in the Champions League next year."

  14. Phil McNulty Q&A: Palace's Mitchell an 'outsider' from England left back spot but 'who knows'published at 15:19 British Summer Time 15 May

    Phil McNulty
    BBC Sport chief football writer

    Dean: Hi Phil. In your recent analysis of Crystal Palace's FA Cup semi-final victory over Aston Villa, you highlighted four Palace players - Eze, Guehi, Henderson, and Wharton - that merited consideration in Thomas Tuchel's England squad plans. Despite missing an open goal, would you nonetheless agree that Tyrick Mitchell should be a fifth include in the England conversation? Given the dearth of left back options for England, and Tuchel's history of utilising wing-backs in a 3-4-3 similar to Palace's formation, I would strongly argue Mitchell has a lot to offer as a wing-back who can defend as well as provide an offensive threat. Could winning Palace's first ever major trophy this weekend, playing regularly in Europe, and perhaps adding composure in front of goal help push Mitchell's case for England?

    Phil: Afternoon, Dean. I have to say I think Mitchell is very much an outsider for England, but you are correct to point out there are openings for left-backs to press their claims to Thomas Tuchel. Mitchell will have the best platform of all in this weekend’s FA Cup Final – who knows where a good performance against Manchester City at Wembley will lead?

    Tyrick MitchellImage source, Getty Images
  15. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 15:14 British Summer Time 15 May

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Re Vic at 14:41. I am in complete agreement with you. Ask any striker if they would like more opportunities to score a goal and they would take them. Footballers risk injury every time they step on the pitch.

    Chris

    Wishing Awoniyi all the best but I agree with Vic. Are we really going to have a new rule that more offsides must be called in order to prevent injuries that might hypothetically happen? What if an offside is blown, a player pulls up and the sudden change of momentum causes them to injure themselves? Will we then see a rule change to call fewer offsides?

    Tom, Bristol

  16. 'Spurs will focus on us, I can't think of a different way'published at 15:10 British Summer Time 15 May

    Aston Villa v Tottenham (Fri, 19:30 BST)

    Aston Villa

    Aston Villa boss Unai Emery on playing Tottenham before their Europa League final: "They have tried to manage playing in the Premier League and Europa League. How they are performing in the Europa League is really fantastic. They will prepare as best as possible for the final but their first target is tomorrow.

    "I think they are going to try to compete and put in their best performances to be ready for the final, also because each match in the Premier League is always important for the supporters.

    "Maybe some players are coming back after being injured, so I know tomorrow we have to give our best and focus 100% in our game plan for 90 minutes."

    On whether the Spurs players will be distracted by next Wednesday's showpiece: "They are going to focus tomorrow on us, I can't think of a different way of them playing."

  17. Villa back in Champions League race after fine league runpublished at 15:06 British Summer Time 15 May

    Aston Villa v Tottenham (Fri, 19:30 BST)

    Aston Villa

    Aston Villa were 10th in the Premier League after losing 4-1 at Crystal Palace on 25 February but they have since enjoyed a fine run of form in the league to get themselves back in the Champions League race.

    Although Villa were knocked out of the Champions League and lost to Palace in the FA Cup semi-finals, they have won seven of their last eight league games, with their only defeat coming after a last-minute winner for Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

    Unai Emery's team will go into Friday's game in sixth place, behind Chelsea on goal difference.

  18. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 15:01 British Summer Time 15 May

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Really looking forward to Villa trying to hit 6+ goals v both Spurs and Man U.

    Gary, Oxford

  19. Rashford and Tielemans out for Villapublished at 14:56 British Summer Time 15 May

    Aston Villa v Tottenham (Fri, 19:30 BST)

    Aston Villa

    Aston Villa boss Unai Emery os speaking to the media and confirms that Marcus Rashford will remain out, along with midfielder Youri Tielemans.

    That means Rashford will not play again for Villa this season as the on-loan striker is ineligible to face parent club Manchester United in their final game.

    Midfielder Jacob Ramsey must serve a one-game ban after being sent off in last Saturday's win at Bournemouth.

    Marcus Rashford applauds the Aston Villa fans beside team-mate Youri TielemansImage source, PA Media
  20. Phil McNulty Q&A: Who will finish fifth in the Premier League?published at 14:54 British Summer Time 15 May

    Phil McNulty
    BBC Sport chief football writer

    Adam: Hi Phil, I hope you’re well. Just a couple of questions for you: Do you think Aston Villa will make it into the top 5 & champions league next season?

    Phil: Hi Adam. It’s going to be tight, with Chelsea also in contention, but the fixtures have been very kind to Aston Villa, with their last two games at home to Spurs then away to Manchester United – who have both been awful in the league and who have (and will have had) the Europa League Final on their agenda.