Aston Villa's Europa League triumph could pave the way for six Premier League clubs to qualify for the Champions League next season, with Bournemouth and Brighton vying for the potential extra spot.
Unai Emery's side secured a 3-0 victory over Freiburg in Istanbul, earning their first European trophy since 1982 and guaranteeing a place in the top continental competition. Villa currently sit fourth in the Premier League, with the top five finishers assured of Champions League football after the final round on Sunday.
If Villa finish fifth, the additional Champions League place awarded to England would drop to the sixth-placed team. Villa are three points ahead of Liverpool but have an inferior goal difference. All final-round matches kick off at 4pm on Sunday 24 May. Villa visit Manchester City, needing a point to secure fourth, while Liverpool host Brentford and must win to have any hope of finishing fourth.
Bournemouth are favourites for the extra spot. They could finish fifth with a win over Nottingham Forest and a significant goal difference swing, but are more likely to secure sixth if Manchester City beat Villa and Liverpool win. Brighton are also in contention, trailing Bournemouth by three points but with a superior goal difference; a win over Manchester United and a Bournemouth defeat would see them leapfrog into the Champions League place.
