Former Aston Villa midfielder Ray Houghton reckons his old side could be saved from relegation by in-form Christian Benteke.
The striker banged in the winner today at Tottenham to make it back-to-back victories under new boss Tim Sherwood as the Villans pulled six points clear of relegation.
"It was a huge result," Ray told Adrian on Off The Ball this evening, "a massive result from Aston Villa. I must admit I didn't see it coming.
"Great news for Tim going back to his old club. Now another four points will be enough to see them stay in the division.
"Benteke could be the difference between them staying up and not. I'd like to think [they're safe] but you can take nothing for granted, you just don't know."
Ray was working as a co-commentator on Stoke's 1-1 draw at West Ham this afternoon and said "Stoke deserved something" from the match but that it was "a very tough game to watch, a tough game to commentate on".
He added: "Both [clubs] are on 43 points, Mark Hughes gets a new contract and Sam Allardyce can't get one! I've got sympathy for Sam Allardyce from that point view. I just feel the fans have given up on Sam. Whether the owners have, time will tell."
Graham Taylor was also on hand to discuss the day's Premier League action and admitted Everton's form this season - right up to today's 1-1 draw at Swansea - has been a "surprise" to him, and that the Toffees have been guilty of giving away "cheap" goals.
Ray added: "Everton, for a long time, just haven't had the finances."
PHOTO: Here's the moment @Aaron7Lennon fired the Toffees 1-0 ahead against Swansea just before half-time. #SWAvEFC pic.twitter.com/3a8Qvb64K9
— Everton (@Everton) April 11, 2015
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