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Aston Villa logo
Premier League
May 11, 2013 at 12.45pm UK
 
Chelsea logo

1-2

Benteke (14')
Benteke (58')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Lampard (61', 88')
Ramires (45')

Rafael Benitez pleased to secure Champions League place

Benitez pleased to secure UCL place
© PA Photos
Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez is pleased to have secured a Champions League place for the club next season.

Rafael Benitez has described securing a place in next season's Champions League for Chelsea as "a great achievement".

The club's 2-1 win over Aston Villa this lunchtime ensures that the Stamford Bridge side will finish in the top four in the Premier League table.

The interim manager told BBC Sport: "It was a great achievement. With a lot of games we have played, it was difficult but we did well.

"It was a dramatic game. The sending-off for us was a big problem. We had to change our game plan at 11 vs. 10. When Christian Benteke was sent off it made a difference.

"We have to wait and see how [the injuries] are. John Terry has twisted his ankle and we have to wait for scan. [Eden] Hazard hurt his ankle and we will have to wait and see."

Chelsea play in the Europa League final on Wednesday.

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Chelsea's Frank Lampard celebrates scoring the equalising goal in the Premier League clash with Aston Villa on May 11, 2013
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