If Aston Villa do not qualify for the Champions League, the chances are Unai Emery will pinpoint this draw against Brentford as the day that derailed their best-laid plans. Villa established a 2-0 buffer seconds after the restart but three goals in nine second-half minutes earned Brentford a shock lead.
Villa imploded defensively but Ollie Watkins, who scored the first goal of a crazy game, got his second late on to prevent a stinging defeat. Make no mistake, though, this was a result that will jar. Villa could hardly give Tottenham greater encouragement that fourth spot is still very much up for grabs. Eyebrows will doubtless be raised at Manchester United too.