Aston Villa blew a chance to go eight points clear of Arsenal in the race for England's fourth Champions League berth Sunday after conceding two late goals against relegation-threatened Stoke City. The 2-2 draw, with Stoke cancelling out their hosts' 2-0 lead in the final three minutes, left fourth-placed Villa six points ahead of Arsenal and three adrift of second-placed Chelsea and Liverpool in the Premier League.
The three favourites for the English League Cup were kept apart when the draw for the quarter-finals was made on Saturday. Manchester United will host Blackburn Rovers in the only all Premier League clash while Arsenal, who will keep faith with their policy of fielding the reserves in the competition, will travel to Championship (second division) Burnley who beat Chelsea on penalties on Wednesday.
Manchester United won the League Cup on penalties against Tottenham Hotspur after the Wembley showpiece ended 0-0 after extra time on Sunday.
United rested several big names but were too good for Rovers at Old Trafford with Argentine striker Tevez running the show in a 5-3 victory in the only all Premier League clash of the quarter-finals. Tottenham, who beat Chelsea in the final last season, fell behind against Championship (second division) side Watford but hit back to win 2-1 at Vicarage Road.
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