Keith Andrews could qualify Brentford for the Champions League next season with help from Aston Villa, and potentially Liverpool. Aston Villa's Europa League final against Freiburg could have a huge impact on the Premier League's Champions League qualification race, with Brentford currently in line to benefit.
How Brentford Could Secure a Champions League Spot Despite Defeat to Liverpool
Impact of Villa Reaching Final
Aston Villa have progressed to the Europa League final against Freiburg. Lifting this trophy guarantees automatic entry into next season's Champions League. This title-holder berth is separate from the standard four places or the fifth European Performance Spot (EPS) awarded to the Premier League.
Impact on Brentford
The key element is the knock-on effect that takes place when a club qualifies for the Champions League via two different pathways. Should Aston Villa triumph in the Europa League and finish in fifth, the EPS place is effectively freed up and passes down to the next highest-placed side.
Current Position
At present, Liverpool and Aston Villa are locked on points, with Liverpool occupying fourth on goal difference. Should Liverpool claim victory in their final fixture against Brentford, they could clinch fourth, potentially dropping Villa into fifth.
What Brentford Need to Do
Brentford are also currently in a fight with Bournemouth for sixth spot and must finish there to capitalise on any possible knock-on scenarios. If Brentford hold onto sixth and Villa end up in fifth, a Europa League triumph for Villa would hand the EPS berth down to the Bees.
Why Brentford Could Benefit from Losing
Should Brentford overcome Liverpool, they might unintentionally assist Villa in securing fourth place. If Villa triumph in the Europa League while also finishing fourth, they would take up a conventional qualifying berth, meaning the fifth-placed side retains the EPS position and sixth place would claim a Europa League spot instead.
Six Teams in Champions League
This particular scenario represents one of the uncommon instances where a nation could send six clubs to the Champions League. This occurs when a side lifting a major European trophy simultaneously holds one of the five designated league places, with the overflow benefiting the team immediately beneath them.
Brentford's Objective
Ultimately, the Bees' principal aim is to hold onto sixth while hoping Aston Villa fail to finish in the top four. While no professional footballer sets out to lose, the 'golden ticket' of Champions League football presents enormous financial rewards and an understandable motivation for Liverpool to secure fourth spot.
Key Dates
The Europa League final takes place on Wednesday, May 20. That is four days before the final round of Premier League fixtures on May 24, when all the matches will kick off simultaneously. Before then, Villa host Liverpool on May 15.
