Chelsea thrash Southampton, Aston Villa beaten by Crystal Palace in race for Champions League

Chelsea moved into the Premier League's top four with a 4-0 home demolition of hapless Southampton, but Aston Villa's hopes of playing UEFA Champions League football next season dimmed after a 4-1 loss at Crystal Palace.

After a run of three consecutive defeats, Chelsea badly needed a response against bottom-of-the-table Saints, who are set for an immediate return to the Championship. The Blues duly delivered with three first-half goals through Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto, and Levi Colwill for just a third league win in 11 games.

The victory at Stamford Bridge moves Chelsea two points above Manchester City into fourth place. Thanks to strong performances from English clubs in European competition this season, a top-five finish is likely to be enough for a place in the 2025-26 Champions League.

Aston Villa had rejuvenated their hopes of a second consecutive season in Europe's elite competition after beating Chelsea on Saturday. But Unai Emery's men have won just one of their last seven league games, following the unexpected capitulation at Selhurst Park.

Ismaila Sarr's first-half opener was cancelled out early in the second half by Morgan Rogers. Jean-Philippe Mateta quickly restored Crystal Palace's advantage, with Sarr and Eddie Nketiah maintaining the fine form at home for the Eagles. Oliver Glasner's side have won seven of their last nine matches to rise to 12th place, just six points behind the Villans in 10th.

Brighton won a battle of south coast clubs with ambitions of playing European football next season, after edging Bournemouth 2-1. Despite the setback, the Cherries sit seventh on goal difference ahead of the Seagulls, and are now just one point behind fifth-placed City.

And 17th-placed Wolves missed a chance to pull further clear of the relegation zone, after a 2-1 home defeat against ninth-ranked Fulham.