Rafael Benitez pleased to secure Champions League place

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.