Aston Villa defeats Fulham 1-0, boosts Champions League hopes

Aston Villa kept their hopes of qualifying for next season's Champions League alive with a crucial 1-0 victory over Fulham, thanks to a first-half header from Youri Tielemans. The win moved Villa level on points with Chelsea and Nottingham Forest as the race for the Premier League's top five—and Champions League places—intensifies. Villa extended their unbeaten run at Villa Park to 20 games and bounced back after recent disappointments, including a heavy FA Cup semi-final loss. Fulham, meanwhile, saw a potential equalizer disallowed for handball and remain in contention only for a lower-tier European spot. While Villa's win was decisive, they missed several chances to extend their lead, leaving the outcome in the balance until the final whistle. With three games remaining, Villa must rely on both their own performances and the results of rivals to secure a return to Europe's elite competition.