3 Major Things You Should Know About This Weekend's Premier League

• Arsenal silenced Tottenham in the North London derby
• Man City defeated relegation-strugglers Nottingham Forest
• Burnley share the spoils against Man United at O;d Trafford

The Premier League now features a tight competition primarily between Manchester City and Arsenal, as Liverpool's hopes for the title have diminished further.

With a 2-0 triumph against Nottingham Forest, Pep Guardiola's City now control their fate in the race for the crown.

Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta's Arsenal maintain their lead after a 3-2 win over Tottenham, although they have played one more game than their rivals.

Aston Villa currently hold a strong position to clinch the fourth Champions League spot, while Burnley have bolstered their chances of survival in the league.

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Here are three key talking points from the weekend in the Premier League according to Sports Brief.

Liverpool's season unravels

Jurgen Klopp aims to conclude his tenure at Liverpool on a positive note following a challenging period for the club. Only recently, the Reds were poised for a historic quadruple of trophies, having secured the League Cup.

However, eliminations from the FA Cup and the Europa League, coupled with a detrimental streak of Premier League outcomes, have marred their season.

Liverpool's 2-2 draw against West Ham on Saturday effectively halted their pursuit of the title, and fans were dismayed by a touchline altercation between Klopp and substitute Mohamed Salah.

Klopp is well aware of the significant challenge ahead to inspire his team in the remaining weeks of the campaign, with few objectives left to strive for.

Villa close on Champions League spot

Aston Villa last played in Europe's top club competition in 1983 -- a year after they beat Bayern Munich in the final.

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Now they are close to qualifying for next year's Champions League with just three Premier League matches remaining.

Unai Emery, who has pedigree in European competition with Sevilla and Villarreal, was unfazed by his side's 2-2 draw with Chelsea on Saturday even after they squandered a 2-0 lead, preferring to focus on their consistency.

It has turned out to be a valuable point for Villa after fifth-placed Tottenham lost to Arsenal on Sunday.

Villa are seven points ahead of Spurs with league games to come against Brighton, Liverpool and Crystal Palace.

Tottenham have two games in hand but a daunting fixture list including games against Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City.

Can Burnley escape the drop?

Vincent Kompany's Burnley looked dead and buried just weeks ago -- certain to head back down to the Championship after just one season in the Premier League.

However, their recent record, with only one loss in their last eight matches, grants them the privilege of dreaming.

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Zeki Amdouni's late penalty secured a 1-1 draw for Burnley against a struggling Manchester United on Saturday, adding another valuable point to their tally.

Although they remain second from the bottom in the standings, they are merely two points adrift of Nottingham Forest, who hover just above the relegation zone.

The outcome may hinge significantly on whether Forest's appeal against a four-point penalty for breaching Premier League financial regulations proves successful, with a verdict anticipated in the near future.