Villa’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League have been strengthened by the announcement that the Premier League would have at least five teams competing next season.
Arsenal’s victory over Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday night assured England’s top division of one of this season’s two extra performance slots.
That implies a top-five finish in the league will now be enough to seal Villa’s return to the Champions League for the next season.
With seven games remaining in the season, Unai Emery’s side is presently in fourth place, six points ahead of sixth-place Chelsea, According To brimingham world.
The extra berths are awarded to the two leagues with the greatest overall performance in European competition throughout the season.
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All nine Premier League clubs that competed in Europe this season advanced to the round of 16.
Though only five teams advanced to the quarterfinals, the co-efficient points won during the league round put them in a strong position to capture one of the remaining spots.
Villa have contributed significantly to the Premier League’s success, having won nine of their ten Europa League matches.
On Thursday, Emery’s club will meet Bologna in the opening leg of a quarter-final tie.
Winning the Europa League would also ensure Villa’s return to the Champions League.
If they fail to finish in the top five of the Premier League, England will have six teams competing in the Champions League the next season.
If Liverpool and Villa finish fifth and sixth, respectively, and win this year’s Champions League and Europa League, up to seven teams might qualify for the Premier League next season.
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