Tottenham Champions League reality is crystal clear as latest UEFA coefficient rankings revealed

Tottenham are in prime position to qualify for next season's Champions League, with Ange Postecoglou's side currently fourth in the Premier League.

Aston Villa are on the same number of points as Spurs, however, in fifth place, although the Lilywhites have a game in hand over the Villans. Manchester United are 11 points further back and in sixth although a late surge for fourth cannot be ruled out.

There is a scenario where both Spurs and Aston Villa qualify for Europe's elite competition should the table remain unchanged come May 19, with the format of the Champions League changing next season. As the competition is expanding, four extra places are up for grabs.

Two of the positions will be given to the leagues that have performed best across all three of UEFA's club competitions this season in the European Performance Spots. Following this week's round of European fixtures it is not good news for the Premier League, who as things stand will miss out on an extra Champions League place.

Following Thursday's results, ESPN reports that Italy are all but assured of an extra Champions League spot for the 2024/25 season with a coefficient ranking of 18.428. As for second place, Germany (16.785) leapfrogged England (16.750).

There is still plenty of time to turn things around: England have five active teams in Europe, while Germany only have three — but those numbers will certainly change for the semi-finals given England and Germany each have two teams facing each other in the quarters. In the Europa League, Liverpool look all but out following their 3-0 loss to Italian side Atalanta at Anfield, while West Ham have it all to do in the second leg after David Moyes' side were defeated 2-0 by Bayer Leverkusen.

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