Villa relegated as Sunderland, Newcastle boost hopes

Manchester United’s Chris Smalling in action with Aston Villa’s Jordan Ayew – Reuters

REUTERS: Former European champions Aston Villa had their fate confirmed and were relegated from the Premier League with a ninth straight defeat on Saturday as north-east rivals Sunderland and Newcastle United both won to boost their battle against the drop.

Villa, who had not been relegated since the Premier League began in 1992, lost 1-0 at Manchester United where teenager Marcus Rashford scored the only goal in the first half.

Sunderland improved their chances of staying up by beating Norwich City 3-0 at Carrow Road while Newcastle fuelled their survival hopes with a 3-0 win over Swansea City at St James’ Park.

In the day’s late game, Sergio Aguero scored a hat-trick and Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois was sent off for the second time this season as Manchester City thumped the outgoing champions 3-0 at Stamford Bridge.

Aguero, who missed a penalty when City beat Paris St Germain to reach the Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday, completed his hat-trick from the spot in the 80th minute after Courtois was sent off for bringing down Fernandinho.

The Belgium international keeper was also sent off in the opening league game of the season against Swansea City.

The win meant City moved up from fourth to third on 60 points from 33 games while Chelsea stayed 10th.

With the top three at the start of the day – Leicester City (72 points), Tottenham Hotspur (65) and Arsenal (59) – not playing, all the attention was focussed on the bottom of the table where Norwich remain in 17th place on 31 points, nervously looking over their shoulders.