Chronicle Editor
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
ASTON Villa have survived relegation from the English Premier League on a pulsating last day of action for the 2019/20 season which saw them draw 1-1 away to West Ham United at the London Stadium on Sunday.
The draw saw Dean Smith’s men finish 17th on the log with 35 points. Watford, Bournemouth and Norwich were relegated. Heading into the final day of fixtures, Villa were in danger of being relegated if Watford had beaten Arsenal and they lost. Bournemouth also had an opportunity to overtake Villa if the Claret and Blue had lost to the Hammers while they were successful against Everton at Goodison Park. Arsenal beat Watford 3-2 and even though Bournemouth thumped Everton 3-1 away, the point earned by Villa at West Ham was crucial to their survival.
Captain Jack Grealish gave Villa the lead in the 84th minute before Ukrainian Andriy Yarmolenko equalised for the Hammers a minute later. Zimbabwean midfielder, Marvelous Nakamba came off the bench for Irishman Conor Hourihane and played a pivotal part in shielding his team’s defence.
Nakamba and his teammates can now look forward to another season in what is regarded as the top league in the world. Villa made a return to the EPL in the just ended campaign having been out for three seasons and it would have been cruel had they made a quick exit.
@Mdawini_29
Online Reporter