Boss Chris Hughton has congratulated his old club Newcastle for pipping Albion to the title.

Jack Grealish's 89th minute equaliser denied the Seagulls the crown in a 1-1 draw at Villa Park today.

Newcastle's 3-0 victory over Barnsley at St James' Park takes them up to the Premier League as champions by a point.

A gracious Hughton said: "It's very tough but I'd like to congratulate Newcastle for just pipping us. I think the two best teams have gone up automatically. It was very close.

"We knew if we stayed close to Newcastle we'd be in with a great chance, so congratulations to them.

"But it's a hard one today. The timing of the goal makes it even harder. If they score earlier then it's a little bit of a different feel."

Sub Grealish cancelled out Glenn Murray's second half penalty for Villa's ten minute after Nathan Baker saw red conceding the spot-kick for a foul on Sam Baldock.

The enigmatic England under-21 international's effort went past an otherwise impressive David Stockdale, who appeared to be distracted by Lewis Dunk's attempto to block it.

Hughton said: "At that stage it seemed as if it was going to be a win. They had to take a few chances, a few shots, a few free-kicks, and these things happen. Fortunately for us we're in a better position than we were last season going to Middlesbrough to get into the top two.

"We can't take away from the really good work of the lads all season, but it's a tough one at the moment and a really down changing room."

A year ago today Albion missed out on automatic promotion with another closing 1-1 draw at Boro.