Aston Villa's UCL Bid, Spurs' Europa League Chase, Newcastle's Conference League Dream

 Aston Villa's UCL Bid, Spurs' Europa League Chase, Newcastle's Conference League Dream

Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins (left) and Brighton and Hove Albion's Billy Gilmour battle for the ball during the Premier League match at the American Express Stadium, Brighton. Picture date: Sunday May 5, 2024(Image-Getty)

Premier League's European Qualification Battle: Aston Villa's UCL Dream, Spurs' Europa League Chase, and Newcastle Eyeing UEFA Conference League

As the 2023/24 Premier League season draws to a close, the race for European football intensifies, with teams scrambling for coveted spots in UEFA competitions. Here's a detailed breakdown of the current standings, remaining fixtures, and the potential impact of the FA Cup final:

European Qualification Overview:

With fourth-placed Aston Villa edging closer to a UEFA Champions League spot and a mere six-point gap between fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur and eighth-placed Manchester United, the competition for European qualification promises a nail-biting climax.

If Tottenham fails to secure victories in their remaining matches, Aston Villa will clinch a Champions League berth by garnering just one point from their final two games. Even in the event of Villa's defeat in both fixtures, Spurs would need to amass seven points and overturn a significant goal difference to overtake them.

Current Standings:

- Aston Villa: 67 points

- Tottenham Hotspur: 60 points

- Newcastle United: 56 points

- Chelsea: 54 points

- Manchester United: 54 points

Implications of FA Cup Final:

The allocation of European spots hinges on the outcome of the FA Cup final between Manchester United and Manchester City. If City emerges victorious, the Europa League group stage berth traditionally reserved for the FA Cup winners will be transferred to the highest-placed Premier League team not qualifying for UEFA competitions. Consequently, the sixth-placed team will secure a spot in the Europa League, while the UEFA Conference League berth will shift to the seventh-placed team.

However, if Manchester United claims the FA Cup and finishes fifth or sixth in the Premier League, they will secure a Europa League spot alongside another top-six team, with the seventh-placed team earning a UEFA Conference League berth. Should United finish seventh or eighth in the league, only the fifth-placed team will join them in the Europa League, while the sixth-placed team will participate in the UEFA Conference League.

Impact of Europa Conference League:

Notably, if Aston Villa triumphs in the Europa Conference League, the Premier League will not receive an additional Europa League spot.

Remaining Fixtures:

- Aston Villa: Faces Liverpool (H) and Crystal Palace (A)

- Tottenham Hotspur: Set to clash with Burnley (H), Manchester City (H), and Sheffield United (A)

- Newcastle United: Confronts Brighton (H), Manchester United (A), and Brentford (A)

- Chelsea: Battles Nottingham Forest (A), Brighton (A), and Bournemouth (H)

- Manchester United: Engages in matches against Arsenal (H), Newcastle United (H), and Brighton (A)

As the season reaches its thrilling conclusion, the battle for European qualification intensifies, promising captivating encounters and unforeseen twists in the final matches of the Premier League campaign.