Why Aston Villa’s Europa League triumph is good news for Chelsea FC
It is a landmark moment for the club, who have not won a major honour of any description this century, but their moment of glory stands to shake up the Premier Leauge race for Europe.
Chelsea have had a disappointing campaign beset by managerial churn, but Villa’s triumph in Istanbul will give them a leg up as they look to qualify for a European competition on the final day of the season, when they visit Sunderland.
Champions: Aston Villa
PA
At present, the Premier League’s top five will qualify for the Champions League, with sixth going into the Europa League and seventh to the Conference League.
But that order is set for a shakeup now Villa have been crowned Europa League champions, earning themselves automatic qualification for the Champions League despite already securing a top-five Premier League finish.
How Aston Villa’s Europa League title affects Premier League race for Europe
Villa finish third or fourth: The top five Premier League finishers qualify for the Champions League, with sixth and seventh going into Europa League and eighth into the Conference League.
Villa finish fifth: An extra Champions League spot is passed on to sixth, and the Premier League gives up its Europa League place. That leaves eighth place to play Conference League football.
The Premier League, then, will end up with nine teams playing in Europe next season, provided Crystal Palace win the Conference League final next week.
Chelsea could finish the season as high as seventh should they win on the final day, but could also fall as low as 13th should they fail to do so.
All they require to return to Europe next season, though, will be a top-eight berth.
