Gerard Houllier's chances of still being in charge of Liverpool next season also increased significantly after his side won 3-0 at Birmingham to tighten their grip on pole position in the race for fourth place and the final qualifying place for the Champions League.

Goals from England trio Michael Owen, Emile Heskey and Steven Gerrard earned Liverpool a convincing win that effectively ended Aston Villa's chances of finishing fourth.

There has been speculation that Heskey will be on his way out of Anfield in the summer, but Houllier had nothing but praise for the big striker

"Emile had a fantastic game. But it's not just the goals, it's the fact he contributed to the team play. There was lots of flow, lots of movement," said the Frenchman.

Villa, who were held to a 1-1 draw at Southampton, are only three points behind the Reds with one match left but their inferior goal difference means they have no realistic chance of overhauling them.

Liverpool's win also piled the pressure on Newcastle, who must beat Wolves on Sunday and Southampton on Wednesday to go into their final game, at Anfield next Saturday, level on points with their rivals.

Ruud van Nistelrooy scored a late equaliser for Manchester United after Jesper Gronkjaer had given Chelsea the lead at Old Trafford.

Van Nistelrooy's equaliser, which came after Chelsea were reduced to ten men by the sending off of Robert Huth, ensured United avoided their tally of losses this season rising into double figures.

But manager Alex Ferguson said he had been resigned to finishing third even before the match.

"After losing to Liverpool and Blackburn it was going to be very tough today. Chelsea only needed a point and they got it."

Things might have turned out differently had van Nistelrooy not had a penalty well saved by Carlo Cudicini just before half-time.

"After they scored the goal we played some excellent stuff and we were unlucky that we did not capitalise on that," Ferguson said.

"Ruud has not had the best season with penalty kicks which is unusual for him but you have to give credit to the goalkeeper -- it was a really good save."

Aston Villa's European dreams were dealt a major blow when Kevin Phillips cancelled out Juan Pablo Angel's penalty opener.

"I'm shocked we have even been involved in this race for the Champions League," admitted Villa boss David O'Leary. "But even if we finish sixth it will be an amazing achievement.

"The top five clubs have much bigger budgets, bigger crowds and bigger revenues, so to take the honour as 'best of the rest' would still represent a good season for us."

Elsewhere it was a day for consolation prizes with relegated Leicester beating Portsmouth 3-1 in their final home game in the top flight and Leeds, who are also doomed to the drop, treating their fans to a 3-3 thriller with Charlton.

Youri Djorkaeff scored twice for the second time in a week as Bolton beat Everton 2-1 at Goodison Park, where the home side were booed off the pitch at the end.

Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe did his chances of making the England squad for Euro 2004 no harm with the goal that earned his side a 1-0 win over Blackburn. It was Spurs' first win since March 14 but it was not enough to prevent angry fans venting their anger on caretaker boss David Pleat.

Goals from Massimo Maccarone and Szilard Nemeth gave Middlesbrough a 2-1 win over Manchester City, for whom Paulo Wanchope was on target. City, who started the season looking like Champions League contenders, look set to finish it one place above the drop zone.