22 Mar 2026 17:02:54
As we head for squeaky bum time, things seem to be getting clearer.

Arsenal and City will battle it out for the title, I think us and Villa will finish 3rd and 4th, or 4th and 3rd, with Chelsea and Liverpool fighting for 5th. Villa have Tielemans back, which will pick them up, whilst both Chelsea and Liverpool are wildly inconsistent. I'm calling it.

1.) 22 Mar 2026
22 Mar 2026 17:25:49
Villa to finish top 5 and win Europa League, so all teams in top 6 end up with Champions League.

2.) 22 Mar 2026
22 Mar 2026 18:13:49
I don't think it works like that, DSG. If Villa finish in top 5 and win the Europa League, then 5 teams go to the Champions League, not 6. Unless Liverpool wins it and doesn't finish in top 5.

3.) 22 Mar 2026
22 Mar 2026 18:39:59
Isn't that how Spurs plus 5 teams ended up in this year's Champions League?

4.) 22 Mar 2026
22 Mar 2026 19:04:05
I agree with that ajh, although I'd argue that the return of McGinn is more vital to Villa than Tielemans. We still have to play both Liverpool and Chelsea, though, so it will depend on how those go.

5.) 22 Mar 2026
22 Mar 2026 19:47:08
It was because Tottenham finished outside of top 5, DSG.

6.) 22 Mar 2026
22 Mar 2026 20:48:27
From the Mirror:

"If Villa were to finish fifth in the Premier League and win the Europa League, then another spot could be awarded to English clubs for the Champions League."

"Villa finishing fifth would see all of the top five qualify for the Champions League, whilst sixth could also earn a spot in the competition thanks to the extra place being given to England for their coefficient ranking."

7.) 23 Mar 2026
23 Mar 2026 12:06:18
You are probably right then, DSG. My mistake.

8.) 23 Mar 2026
23 Mar 2026 12:27:53
As I understand it, if Villa win the EL and finish top 5, the 6th placed team will get a CL spot.

9.) 23 Mar 2026
23 Mar 2026 12:50:53
Agree, I think the top 4 will finish as it currently is.
Reckon City will win the big head to head with Arsenal, but the Gunners will come out top overall.