Weekend Review: Villa question Howe Newcastle nabbed final Champions League spot

The Premier League came to a close for another year, with Liverpool (3/10) beating FA Cup winners Crystal Palace (5/1) 2-1 to cap off a debut season to remember for manager Arne Slot.

With the title wrapped up weeks ago, all eyes were on who would finish in the Champions League spots as the battle for Europe went down to the wire.

Arsenal, Man City and Newcastle secured their places among Europe’s elite next season but it wasn’t without drama.

Eddie Howe’s Newcastle (1/4) failed to pick up three points, losing 1-0 at home to Everton (8/1), but were grateful to Manchester United (7/2) who beat Aston Villa (7/10) 2-0.

That result allowed Newcastle to grab the final Champions League place and condemn Aston Villa to the Europa League in controversial fashion.

Europe again. pic.twitter.com/5iPkHPV0qy

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) May 26, 2025

Despite being down to 10 men, Villa thought they opened the scoring through Morgan Rogers after the Englishman stole the ball from goalkeeper Altay Bayindir’s clutches.

However, referee Thomas Bramall blew up before Rogers kicked the ball into the empty net, not allowing for play to continue, and the home side went on to capitalise on an out-of-luck Villa, who have now lodged a complaint with the Premier League.

Arsenal (1/4) beat bottom of the table Southampton (9/1), while City (1/2) put their FA Cup final defeat behind them to overcome Fulham (5/1) 2-0 and finish the season in third place, while Chelsea’s (1/1) 1-0 win over fellow Champions League chasers Nottingham Forest (9/4) saw the Blues finish fourth and the City Ground club settle for seventh.

Europa League champions Tottenham (11/4) suffered their 22nd defeat of the season, losing 4-1 at home to Brighton (9/10), though London rivals West Ham (6/5) nabbed all three points by beating Ipswich Town (11/5) 3-1 to finish above Man United and secure 14th place.

On what proved to be a largely uneventful end to the season, bet365’s Steve Freeth said the operator didn’t have much to worry about after teams failed to give punters the goal-fest they were hoping for.

Freeth remarked: “I wouldn’t say it was the most anticipated final day of a Premier League season as many markets had already been settled, leaving only the European spots up for grabs.

“The goals markets were popular, as is always the case on the final day, but the expected goal-fest never materialised. We did not have too much to worry about with seven of the 10 games going under 2.5 and with both teams scoring in just five matches.

“The only losers on the Premier League coupon were 6/5 West Ham at Ipswich and 17/20 Brighton at Spurs, while short ones like 2/7 Newcastle and 4/11 Liverpool dropped points and 1/4 Arsenal scraped past Southampton.”

Commenting on the final weekend of Premier League action of the season, while looking ahead to next, Betfred’s Alan Firkins highlighted how Man City’s trophyless campaign was a “bonus” for the operator while questioning whether Liverpool can retain their title.

Firkins said: “A good final Premier League day with a distinct lack of goals and a couple of well-fancied sides halted or turned over as some, dare one say it, had their suncream and flip-flops on already?

“The season as a whole has been a good one for us, with City’s dismal showing by their stellar standards being a real bonus.

“Liverpool are never a good result in the outright market but having paid out on them so long ago it feels like that loss has been well and truly absorbed now.

“Next season is set up nicely – can Liverpool (15/8) go back-to-back – and will Fred take them on as invariably he does, every season?

“Can Arsenal (5/2) finally get over the line? Answers via a Ouija board, please. Will Pep cultivate another title-tilting side at City (9/4), or is their glittering era truly over? It’s 12s bar the three with Betfred.”

Firkins also sent Betfred’s best wishes to those affected by the tragic event that took place during Liverpool’s trophy parade on Monday.

“Premier League Champions Liverpool were appropriately feted by huge crowds during a celebratory victory parade on Monday, but a shocking, tragic incident occurred and we send all our thoughts, hopes and very best wishes to supporters and their families who’ve been affected.”

We are in direct contact with Merseyside Police regarding the incident on Water Street which happened towards the end of the trophy parade earlier this evening.

Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been affected by this serious incident.

We will continue to offer… pic.twitter.com/xreiSqiEnL

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 26, 2025

Across Europe, Atlético Madrid’s comfortable win over Girona was bet365’s worst result of the weekend due to Alexander Sørloth coming off the bench and bagging himself a hat-trick.

Barcelona’s win over Athletic Bilbao also hit the bookmaker, as did Parma’s triumph over Atalanta after the latter took a two-goal lead, leading to a payout, only for Parma to turn the game on its head and win 3-2.

Freeth noted: “The real damage occurred on the continent, where we took a bit of a hiding. Our worst result was 23/20 Atlético Madrid’s 4-0 win at Girona with substitute Alexander Sørloth doing the business for punters as well as the visitors, as our ‘Sub On Play On’ concession came to the fore.

“Backers of Antoine Griezmann would ordinarily have backed a loser with the Frenchman being replaced in the 62nd minute. However, the oncoming Sørloth bagged a hat-trick, with Griezmann bets settled as winners in markets such as first goalscorer, any time scorer, score 2+, hat trick and player shots.

“Staying in La Liga, we also had 11/10 Barcelona winning at Athletic Bilbao with Robert Lewandowski scoring a brace, further compounding our misery. Then there was the chaos in Serie A.

“It was carnage in Italy after Napoli had secured the title with several sides winning from behind. The main culprits were 9/20 Juventus and 27/20 Fiorentina, who managed to seal their Conference League spot with a win at Udinese, breaking 2/5 Lazio hearts in the process – one of the few results that went our way.”

Meanwhile, at the races, favourite Field of Gold (4/5) bounced back from defeat at Newmarket earlier this month to take the 2,000 Irish Guineas by three-and-three-quarters of a length. Cosmic Year (4/1) finished second, with Hotazell (10/1) back in third.

Field of Gold came second in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket earlier this month, but managed to take the Irish version of the race under Colin Keane.

Like Father, like Son!

Field Of Gold atones for his Guineas defeat by landing the Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh.

Just like his sire, Kingman, did back in 2014. pic.twitter.com/TNZFBnX2zV

— Sporting Life Racing (@SportingLife) May 24, 2025

Field of Gold finished in dominant fashion, with Betfred making John and Thady Gosden-trained grey colt evens to take the St James’s Palace Stakes, which takes place at Royal Ascot next month.

There was also an impressive feat from jockey Will Buick, who completed a four-timer at Haydock while riding Symbol of Honour (2/1), Great Chieftain (11/4), Diamond Rain (9/4) and Mgheera (10/1).

Firkins said: “Our customers very firmly held the upper hand on the racing front at weekend – impressive Juddmonte Farms miler Field Of Gold (evens) winning the Irish 2,000 Guineas was a heavily-backed 6/4 ‘push’ by Fred on Saturday morning and is now even-money for the St James’s Palace Stakes at the Royal meeting.

“In addition, a 400/1 Will Buick four-timer at Haydock attracted lots of support to pile on the pain.”