Aston Villa have received a significant blow to their Champions League ambitions as the end of the Premier League season looms.
Under the guidance of Unai Emery, Villa have given themselves a terrific opportunity to qualify for Europe’s most prestigious competition.
The club have sat inside the top four throughout the majority of the campaign and they are now just three wins away from the Champions League returning to Villa Park.
However, this may still be a tricky feat. Spurs are seven points behind the Birmingham outfit but they could reduce this gap to one if they win their two games in hand.
This means that if Villa slip up, it could hand Tottenham the keys to the Champions League.
There were hopes that a fifth Champions League spot would be awarded to the Premier League. However, this is now impossible.
The Premier League will not receive a fifth Champions League spot
Borussia Dortmund’s first-leg victory over PSG on Wednesday night confirmed what many English teams feared. The Premier League will not be rewarded a fifth Champions League spot.
Dortmund’s victory took Germany up to 18.357 coefficient points compared to England’s 17.357. This means it is now impossible for England to catch the nation no matter how well Villa do in the Europa Conference League.
Italy had secured their fifth spot last month with the nation sitting top of the table on 19.428 points.
Multiple English teams failing in Europe resulted in this demise. Both Newcastle and Manchester United came bottom of their Champions League groups. On top of this, multiple sides such as Liverpool and Man City crashed out in the quarter-finals.
As a result, Villa are the last remaining English side in Europe as they prepare to take on Olympiacos in the Conference League semi-finals.
Read more: What happens to Aston Villa’s European Cup winners?
Champions League qualification is still in Aston Villa’s hands
While this news is undoubtedly a blow and increases the pressure on Villa, it is not shocking news.
After Man City’s and Liverpool’s elimination from Europe, Germany’s fifth spot seemed all but certain.
Villa’s task over the course of May will not change. There are three Premier League games left, if they win each one, Emery will reach his goal.
There is also a good chance that Spurs will drop points at some point. Tottenham still have to travel to Man City as well as face Liverpool and Chelsea.
In fact, Villa could confirm their place in the Champions League this week if results go their way.
However, to complete this feat, Villa must remain composed and focused on the task at hand. If they do this, qualification should be secured over the coming weeks.
