Villa into Europe as Hull falter

John Carew’s first-half goal gave Aston Villa a 1-0 win over relegation candidates Hull City here on Monday as the Midlands side assured themselves of European football next season.

Victory, Villa’s first in 13 matches, saw them regain fifth place in the English Premier League from Everton and secured their spot in the Europa League, which will replace the UEFA Cup.

By contrast defeat left Hull just three points above the relegation zone with three games left at the end of a round of matches where all the teams in the bottom eight lost.

Norway striker Carew grabbed the only goal of the game in the 34th minute when he turned in an Ashley Young cross from close range.

Hull goalkeeper Boaz Myhill made several fine saves to deny Villa, who fielded eight England players as England boss Fabio Capello looked on, a more emphatic victory, including a fine point-blank stop from Gabriel Agbonlahor.

The Tigers rarely threatened the hosts goal as Martin O’Neill’s men won at Villa Park for the first time in the Premier League since mid-January, a run which helped cost them a top four finish and a Champions League spot.