Premier League: Villa only draws to hold up Champions League qualification bid. Forest almost safe

TL;DR

Aston Villa drew 2-2 with Burnley, complicating their Champions League qualification hopes, while Nottingham Forest secured a late 1-1 draw against Newcastle, moving closer to safety from relegation.

Key points

Aston Villa drew 2-2 with Burnley.
Nottingham Forest drew 1-1 with Newcastle.
Villa is currently in fifth place, four points above sixth-place Bournemouth.
Both teams have two games left in the season.
Forest is seven points clear of the relegation zone.

Aston VillaNottingham ForestBurnleyBournemouth

Aston Villa still has work to do to secure Champions League qualification. Nottingham Forest is almost safe from relegation. Three days after meeting in the Europa League semifinals, Villa and Forest returned to Premier League action and neither got the win they really wanted. Villa was held 2-2 at already relegated Burnley and stayed in fifth place, four points above sixth-place Bournemouth in the race to finish in the top five and get into the Champions League. Both teams have two games left — and both still have to play title-chasing Manchester City. Villa's players have another possible route into next season's Champions League: By winning the Europa League. If they do that and finish fifth in the league, then the team that places sixth — currently Bournemouth, though Brighton is only two points further back — would also get into Europe's top competition. Forest equalized in the 88th minute through England midfielder Elliot Anderson to grab a 1-1 draw with Newcastle and move seven points clear of the relegation zone. If third-to-last West Ham loses to first-place Arsenal later, Forest will be mathematically safe. Arsenal will be desperate for a win to restore its five-point lead over second-place Man City. In another game Sunday, twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with . \\_ Steve Douglas is at \\_ AP soccer:

Q&A

What does Aston Villa need to do to qualify for the Champions League?

Aston Villa needs to secure a top-five finish in the Premier League or win the Europa League to qualify for the Champions League.

How many points clear is Nottingham Forest from relegation?

Nottingham Forest is seven points clear of the relegation zone after their draw with Newcastle.

What are the implications of Villa's draw against Burnley?

Villa's draw against Burnley keeps them in fifth place, but they must perform well in their remaining matches to maintain their Champions League qualification bid.