Aston Villa finish ahead of Spurs to seal last European berth

Aston Villa beat Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 on Sunday to clinch their return to European football for next season.

Needing a win on the season's final day to guarantee a finish ahead of Tottenham Hotspur in the table, Villa came out flying in their pursuit of seventh place.

Douglas Luiz and Ollie Watkins scored first-half goals that proved decisive in securing a UEFA Europa Conference League playoff spot for Unai Emery's rejuvenated side.

"I am very proud. We beat a very good team and to achieve the European place is the best possible end," Emery said. "We will be in Europe which for me is very important. It has given me a lot. It's fantastic.

He added: "Historically this is a great team. We won the European Cup a long time ago. We can now try to improve and get an ambitious step ahead. This is the first step."

Spurs won their season finale, as Harry Kane's brace - which brings the prolific England international's season tally to a career-high 30 goals - and goals from Pedro Porro and Lucas Moura relegated Leeds United in a 4-1 victory for the north London outfit.

Brentford also had an outside chance to qualify for Europe, boosting their own chances with an impressive 1-0 win over Premier League champions Manchester City.

But, in the end, Tottenham's and Brentford's wins weren't enough to prevent Aston Villa from sealing the last European berth available to Premier League teams.

Qualifying for Europe is a massive boost for a club that faced relegation concerns earlier this season before hiring Emery in October. Since the Spaniard's arrival, Villa have soared up the table and will now prepare to play European football for the first time in 13 years.

Villa last appeared in a continental tournament in 2010 when they lost in the Europa League playoff round.