Abraham's dream return pays off as Villa salvage late point against Leeds

Aston Villa's faint Premier League title hopes suffered a blow as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Leeds United and Chelsea's top-four ambitions were damaged when they dropped two points against relegation-bound Burnley on Saturday.

Anton Stach's stunning 31st-minute free kick past Emiliano Martinez looked like giving Leeds a vital victory at Villa Park but substitute Tammy Abraham levelled late on.

The draw left third-placed Villa on 51 points from 27 games, seven behind leaders Arsenal who go to north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. Manchester City can cut Arsenal's lead to two points if they beat visitors Newcastle United later.

"Who knows what can happen?" said Abraham, who poked in from close range after an Ezri Konsa knockdown. "We are not too far from Arsenal who are at the top. Unfortunately today we didn't get the win but we just have to keep pushing."

Leeds are in 15th place after suffering only two defeats in their last 14 league games, six points above third-bottom West Ham United who drew 0-0 at home to Bournemouth.

Chelsea moved above Manchester United into fourth spot on goal difference but it felt like two points dropped for the second week running as they drew 1-1 with Burnley at home.

Burnley leave it late to snatch a point at Stamford Bridge 🤝#CHEBUR | #SSPremierLeague pic.twitter.com/KDgooxtskv — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) February 21, 2026

Joao Pedro put Chelsea ahead but the hosts were reduced to 10 men when Wesley Fofana received a second yellow card and Burnley equalised in stoppage time through Zian Flemming.

Chelsea have received a league-high six red cards this season and have lost 19 points from winning positions, with only relegation-threatened West Ham dropping more.

"I will never speak about anything that happened before me," Liam Rosenior, who replaced Enzo Maresca, said. "For me, we've set fire to four points in two games. It's not good enough."

Chelsea let slip a two-goal lead last week at home to Leeds.

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MILNER SETS APPEARANCE RECORD

Brighton & Hove Albion's James Milner broke the Premier League appearance record in their 2-0 win at Brentford.

The 40-year-old former Manchester City and Liverpool player made his 654th appearance to go past Gareth Barry.

"It will be nice to stop talking about it!" said Milner, who made his Premier League debut as a 16-year-old for Leeds in 2002. "To pass the mark, it's obviously a big number, but it's not something I've really concentrated on.

"Anyone who knows me knows I'm all about the team."

West Ham had the opportunity to really put some pressure on Nottingham Forest and Spurs in the relegation battle, but played out a turgid draw with visiting Bournemouth. It was the sixth successive Premier League stalemate between the sides.

West Ham remained in 18th place, two points below Forest, who are immediately above the drop zone, and four behind Tottenham. Forest host Liverpool on Sunday.