Aston Villa could potentially do the unthinkable this season – qualify for the Champions League.
Unai Emery has really got the Villans playing, so much so that the prospect of Europe’s greatest competition isn’t beyond the realm of reality for next season.
It’s going to be tough. Right now Aston Villa sit fifth in the table, but in a league with some of Europe’s finest teams – nothing is a guarantee.
But what if there were a way to slip out of the top four, yet still qualify for the Champions League? Well, Villa fans – you’re in luck.
Aston Villa could get the extra Champions League spot
Aston Villa could qualify for the Champions League this season even if they remained in fifth.
This comes after a new rule from the Premier League’s official website states that the 23/24 season could have five teams qualifying for the Champions League through their league positions, instead of the usual four.
Extra Champions League Spot Explained
So how does this work?
Well, the Champions League has a changed format for next season, which has sparked the rule change. It now has 36 participating teams, meaning there are two extra spots up for grabs.
These two places are to be allocated to the nation whose club performed the best in UEFA competitions the season before… which is usually the Premier League.
Qualification for the two other UEFA competitions will still be the same as every other year. If the fifth spot does get the Champions League, then Europa will be given to sixth and so forth.
This will be revealed at the end of the season, when we know more about the competitions and more importantly – how a nation’s team has fared in them.
However, an early prediction would be that England will be included, due to the sheer amount of English teams in European competitions this season.
This will really benefit Aston Villa
This could be great for Unai Emery’s side.
The Champions League is the goal and it gives Villa a chance even outside the top four. Along with this, it will also mean it’s easier to qualify for the Europa League and Europa Conference League.
Win, win for the Villans.
