The Hindu : Sport / Football : Aston Villa defeats Hull

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Wednesday, May 06, 2009
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Aston Villa defeats Hull

BIRMINGHAM: John Carew fired Aston Villa to a 1-0 victory over Hull in the English Premier League football on Monday to end a run of 12 winless games and guarantee a place in next season’s Europa League.

The Norwegian striker’s 14th goal of the season in the 34th minute enabled Villa to recapture fifth place in the Premier League.

Martin O’Neill’s team can no longer catch Arsenal in the fourth and last Champions League spot, but Villa is now assured of a place in next season’s Europa League, the revamped UEFA Cup.

For Hull, which has now won just one of its last 19 games, the loss means it is still 17th and only three points above the relegation zone with three games to go. Daniel Cousin was Hull’s lone striker with Caleb Folan suspended after his red card against Liverpool and the Tigers lost captain Ian Ashbee with a leg injury after only nine minutes.

The home side took the lead when Hull’s former Villa midfielder, George Boateng, lost possession to Gareth Barry and the ball was quickly transferred via Ashley Young to Carew who slid the ball home. — AP

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