6 hours ago, Steve201 said:

Well done Bournmouth on getting European football for next year. Some achievement to think in 2009 they were one game from being relegated from the football league.

Brighton also came within one game dropping out of the league in 1997.

Just shows what can happen for a well run club that just keeps their heads down and makes sensible decisions whilst the likes of Chelsea, Spurs and Leicester continue to destroy themselves from within, outstanding achievement getting CL football (which I'm sure they will achieve).

2 hours ago, Suedehead2 said:

Brighton also came within one game dropping out of the league in 1997.

I remember watching the highlights of their games when I was younger with the running track round the ground.

6 hours ago, Dobbo said:

Just shows what can happen for a well run club that just keeps their heads down and makes sensible decisions whilst the likes of Chelsea, Spurs and Leicester continue to destroy themselves from within, outstanding achievement getting CL football (which I'm sure they will achieve).

It’s good what Bournemouth have achieved but this type of achievement is not uncommon, look at the likes of Forest, Brighton etc. who have got European football. Should also be pointed out that the club is well funded and backed with American investment too.

Clubs are only a few bad decisions away from being in the dark again. And having European football is massively challenging going from 1 game a week to 2.

I'm talking specifically about qualifying for the CL though which no "small" team has done for a very long time other than Leicester. You can add Swansea/Stoke/Wigan/Burnley all to the likes who have qualified for Europe in recent times too but to actually get into the big league is another level.

(Of course I know Bournemouth haven't yet done this but it seems for all the world that Villa win tonight in my eyes thus handing them a spot)

And yes I expect they'll struggle next season but they'll take that for the chance of welcoming Real or Barca to the Vitality!

6 minutes ago, Dobbo said:

I'm talking specifically about qualifying for the CL though which no "small" team has done for a very long time other than Leicester. You can add Swansea/Stoke/Wigan/Burnley all to the likes who have qualified for Europe in recent times too but to actually get into the big league is another level.

(Of course I know Bournemouth haven't yet done this but it seems for all the world that Villa win tonight in my eyes thus handing them a spot)

And yes I expect they'll struggle next season but they'll take that for the chance of welcoming Real or Barca to the Vitality!

Even if Villa win tonight, they need to finish 5th for Bournemouth to get the Champions League spot. If Liverpool finish 5th, there’s no extra CL spot. City need to beat Villa (fairly likely) and Liverpool have to beat Brentford for this to happen. I’m not sure the latter happens..

Ah I see I hadn't clocked the league-based permutations, so there's at least a little more intrigue then on the final day aside from the final relegation spot.