Aston Villa’s pursuit of Europa League glory could open the door for the sixth-placed Premier League side to enter the Champions League, drawing support from a host of top-flight clubs. Villa faces Freiburg in Istanbul on 20 May, just four days before the final day of the English league season.
European qualification has grown increasingly complex in recent campaigns, largely due to UEFA’s new European Performance Spots (EPS). These bonus Champions League places are awarded to the two leagues with the best overall performance each season. The Premier League has secured one of those two berths for 2026-27, with Spain’s La Liga claiming the other—matching last season’s outcome.
As a result, at least eight English teams will compete in Europe next season. With Villa, Arsenal, and Crystal Palace all reaching European finals, what does this mean for the rest of the Premier League?
### How the European Places Unfold
The EPS concept is straightforward, but other variables add complexity. It operates on two key principles: it applies after all domestic and European cup winner scenarios are resolved, and it always adds one extra slot to the overall allocation. England was initially set to have seven European spots before securing the EPS, but now stands at a minimum of eight.
As things stand—pending the FA Cup winner and their final league finish—the lineup looks like this:
– The team finishing fifth enters the Champions League.
– The team finishing sixth enters the Europa League.
– The team finishing seventh enters the Conference League.
The top five have pulled clear in recent weeks, with Liverpool and Aston Villa occupying fourth and fifth on 58 points each. There’s a six-point cushion over Bournemouth in sixth with three matches remaining.
The real battle now lies beneath them—and sixth place could still offer a route to the Champions League. Just five points separate Bournemouth (52) from 12th-placed Sunderland (47). Brentford (51) sits seventh, followed by Brighton (50), Chelsea (48), Everton (48), Fulham (48), and Sunderland (47).
### What Happens If Arsenal Wins the Champions League?
Arsenal faces Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final. The Gunners are already guaranteed a top-four finish, so winning Europe’s top prize won’t affect England’s allocation. The spot reserved for the Champions League titleholder would then pass to the best-ranked league champions in qualifying via UEFA coefficient—likely Shakhtar Donetsk.
For the Premier League to gain a sixth Champions League place through this route, Arsenal would have needed to finish outside the top four.
### What Happens If Villa Wins the Europa League?
A key point: Europa League winners automatically qualify for the Champions League. If Villa wins the Europa League and finishes in the top four, England’s European spots remain unchanged—still five Champions League teams and eight in Europe overall. The Champions League place reserved for the Europa League winner would then go to the best-ranked qualifying team via coefficient, possibly Benfica.
If Villa finishes outside the top four, the Premier League would have six Champions League entrants:
– The top four.
– Villa as Europa League winners.
– The EPS slot.
Villa’s exact final position determines the total European allocation for the Premier League. If they finish fifth, the EPS shifts to the sixth-placed team. With Villa’s potential Europa League triumph known before the final day, it could fuel a fierce battle to claim sixth place.
