The Premier League’s European race: the battle for sixth – and why teams must lose on the final day

Both the elements required for a sixth place in the Champions League seem plausible enough.

Aston Villa Just need to finish fifth (where they currently sit) and win the Europa League.

They beat Nottingham Forest 1-0 After the first leg of the semi-finals, the return leg is at home on Thursday.

This scenario can only be seen if Villa finish fifth – and not in the top four (or in fifth place) – due to confusion in UEFA rules.

The Premier League has been promoted to the fifth Champions League due to the performance of English teams in Europe – Something called the European Performance Spot (EPS).

In short, when it comes to excluding European places, UEFA goes by domestic position and who won the European trophy first, before factoring in EPS.

So if Villa win the Europa League and finish fifth, that EPS place will go to the sixth team – who will qualify for the Champions League.

However, if Villa finish in the top four, winning the Europa League will make no difference to any other English team. In this scenario the sixth place finisher will qualify for the Europa League.