With results changing constantly on the final day in the Premier League, Aston Villa eventually secured survival against West Ham.

Outside the ground, two Aston Villa fans had made the trip down to admire the Olympic Stadium. Their travel hoping to be one of celebration when checking full time results just after 6pm on Sunday afternoon.

There were smiles in the warm-up for West Ham with their place in the Premier League assured, the faces of Dean Smith’s players focused and determined on the job ahead of them.

Slow rondos were observed from the Hammers ahead of the match. Villa preferred a high-tempo pressing drill alongside a huddle led by former Chelsea and England skipper, and now Aston Villa assistant, John Terry.

It took less than two minutes for Dean Smith to emerge from the bench, the Villa bench vocal from the start in their encouragement.

A smile on the face of Jack Grealish emerged on five minutes after a goal given against the Villa man. He was right to be smiling but for another reason, Arsenal were leading against Watford.

On 11 minutes, they should have been behind themselves. A long ball forward fell to the in-form Michail Antonio, the English forward slicing a volley wide.

The chance sparked a few expletives from Smith, who could be heard from my position at the top of the London Stadium’s press area.

Mbwana Samatta’s header presented a good chance for Villa to take the lead, but the Tanzanian striker fired straight at Lukasz Fabianski.

Elsewhere, a Josh King penalty had given Bournemouth the lead. A win for Bournemouth and a Villa defeat would save the Cherries.

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Much of West Ham’s pre-match build-up inside the stadium was built around Declan Rice’s christening as the Hammer of the Year for the 2019/20 season, the England international blazing an effort into the second tier with 20 minutes played.

Villa were not here to impress. The result was always the most important statistic on Sunday afternoon, the cries of ‘get rid of it!’ displaying this when passes were exchanged around the visitors’ defence.

Arsenal’s second had arrived against Watford, the Hornets looking condemned to England’s second-tier as the drinks break was called.

Rice was close to exceeding his earlier attempt when laid off from a West Ham free-kick, the midfielder clearly not named Hammer of the Year for his shooting.

There was a third in North London with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang netting his second of the match. Watford’s five-year stint in the Premier League was all but finished.

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Villa were not to know of results around the grounds and at the London Stadium, West Ham were looking the more likely to break the deadlock.

Their failure to hold possession was badly hurting them, long aimless balls up to Samatta were bouncing off him as West Ham constructed sustained attacks.

Despite their performance, Everton had equalised on 41 minutes against Bournemouth. Results were playing into Villa’s hands.

Grealish’s curled effort presented Villa’s best chance of the first half but his effort proved tame. Meanwhile, a Troy Deeney penalty had offered a glimmer at the Emirates for Watford.

To provide a double blow, Dominic Solanke had given Bournemouth the lead once again at Goodison. As the teams walked off for half time in east London, Villa were safe but not by much.

It’s always an interesting conundrum whether to tell the player’s the situation they currently find themselves in. Whether told or not, the reaction from the Villa players at the start of the second half displayed an urgency severely lacking from the first 45 minutes.

Ryan Fredericks’ wild swipe at Grealish presented Villa with an opportunity they ultimately wasted but the foray into the opposition half was much needed nonetheless.

Still it was West Ham creating the greater chances and still, for now at least, Villa were hovering anxiously above the drop zone.

The net would ripple with an hour played but we still remained without a breakthrough, substitute Andriy Yarmolenko’s free-kick brushing the net as it flew just wide of Pepe Reina’s goal.

Another goal had been scored at the Emirates this time by former Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck as Watford trailed 3-2. Bournemouth were also clinging onto a 2-1 advantage over Everton as it stood.

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There was a staleness to the game that was almost impressive considering what was at stake, the drinks break had arrived without a shot on target in the second half from Villa.

Sebastien Haller headed over for West Ham as the visitors seemed as though they were waiting to concede before triggering a reaction.

The skies darkened and the heavens opened in East London. Even the sun had enough of this drab affair.

One thing remained constant, Rice smashing his third effort high and wide of the Villa goal.

Grealish’s run and shot whistled wide but the effort seemed to lift his team. The coaching staff were now on their feet, the cries rang out from the stands of ‘come on Villa’.

A third had been scored for Bournemouth. Defeat for Villa would see them relegated and the Cherries stay up.

The moment Villa had been waiting for almost arrived on 81 minutes when substitute Keinan Davis’ strike went just wide. Without a crowd to suddenly roar, it felt tough for Villa to main that flow of attacking momentum.

Jack Grealish, the captain, stepped up not long after.

A simple shift and finish from the local lad beat Fabianski, who should have done better. No one will remember that however, Aston Villa were ahead.

Queue wild scenes from the away bench. A massive huddle around Grealish would seemingly resemble Villa’s status in the Premier League.

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But it’s never that easy is it? Yarmolenko’s effort deflected off the Villa skipper a minute later and looped over Reina to level proceedings.

Grealish could only shake his head. Villa were making sure they made it a tense finish for the neutrals for all in attendance at the London Stadium.

Results elsewhere hadn’t changed. Avoid defeat and they’d be safe. The ball was being kept in the corner as soon as the clock ticked to 90.

There was some attempt for West Ham to attack, the home side caught up in the frantic nature of the affair. The bench were now on their feet as the final whistle blew.

Cheers went up as it blew, the Aston Villa players knowing that barring two late goals for Watford at the Emirates they were safe.

Proceedings were still slightly tentative. There were a few nervous glances and plenty of asking for information as handshakes were exchanged between the sides but still the game in north London ticked on.

The Hornets were unavailable to muster any response and Villa had done it.

Grouped in a big huddle at the end of the match, the Aston Villa players and staff celebrated as the full-time whistle blew at the Emirates.

Villa players and staff celebrate their survival as they anxiously watch Watford’s final few seconds against Arsenal #AVFC @ProstInt pic.twitter.com/9ZCBbHxZFb

— Tom Hardy (@tmhardy16) July 26, 2020