Why Bournemouth and Brighton Champions League qualification chances have been boosted by Aston Villa's Europa League win
Bournemouth and Brighton can qualify for the Champions League; Aston Villa's Europa League win means the Premier League can claim a sixth spot in the Champions League - if Villa finish fifth; watch every Premier League game on Sunday live on Sky Sports
Wednesday 20 May 2026 22:58, UK
Aston Villa's Europa League win has opened the door for a sixth Champions League qualification spot for the Premier League.
The Premier League earned a fifth Champions League place this season through UEFA's European Performance Spots and that can be extended to sixth place if Europa League champions Villa finish fifth.
They are currently fourth, three points ahead of Liverpool, with the Premier League season concluding on Sunday.
Bournemouth, sitting sixth, and seventh-placed Brighton will be desperate for final-day fixtures to go their way to claim an unexpected and first-ever place in Europe's elite club competition.
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European places if Aston Villa finish fourth
- Arsenal - Champions League
- Man City - Champions League
- Man Utd - Champions League
- Aston Villa - Champions League
- Liverpool - Champions League
- Bournemouth - Europa League
- Brighton - Europa League
- Chelsea - Conference League
European places if Aston Villa finish fifth
- Arsenal - Champions League
- Man City - Champions League
- Man Utd - Champions League
- Liverpool - Champions League
- Aston Villa - Champions League
- Bournemouth - Champions League
- Brighton - Europa League
- Chelsea - Conference League
The Premier League could also have nine teams playing in Europe next season, should Crystal Palace win the Conference League, which would earn them a Europa League place.
Premier League final day permutations
Aston Villa will drop to fifth if they lose at Manchester City and Liverpool beat Brentford.
Bournemouth will finish fifth if they beat Nottingham Forest and overturn a six-goal swing in goal difference with Liverpool losing to Brentford. Bournemouth need a point to confirm sixth place.
Brighton will finish sixth if they beat Man Utd and Bournemouth lose to Nottingham Forest.
Chelsea can only finish as high as seventh. They can achieve that by bettering Brighton's result.
Brentford will finish seventh if they beat Liverpool and Chelsea and Brighton fail to win.
Sunderland will finish seventh if they beat Chelsea, Brighton lose and Brentford don't win.
Sunderland playing Chelsea means that Newcastle, Everton and Fulham are out of the race for Europe as they can only reach 52 points, which wouldn't be enough to finish eighth.
