What Aston Villa Conference League triumph would mean for Chelsea European qualification hopes

Mauricio Pochettino's Chelsea side could well end up playing in Europe next season if their current form continues in the Premier League. With three games left on the calendar in the 2023/24 campaign, the Blues currently sit seventh and are hot on the heels of Newcastle United, who are one place and two points ahead of them.

Securing big wins over Everton and West Ham as well as a notable home victory over Tottenham, the west London club will be full of confidence going into their final three matches against Nottingham Forest, Brighton & Hove Albion and Bournemouth. European qualification seemed a long way off not so long ago but Chelsea may indeed secure qualification the way they're going at present.

As things stand, Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool and Aston Villa will be playing in the Champions League next season, Tottenham will be in the Europa League and Newcastle are on track for the Europa Conference League. With Chelsea two points off the Magpies at present, they will be looking to overtake Eddie Howe's men in what remains of the season and secure sixth unless fifth suddenly becomes attainable due to Spurs' current form.

There is a strong possibility that a sixth-place finish would equal a place in next season's Europa League rather than the Europa Conference League. That is because the winners of the FA Cup final between Man City and Manchester United at the end of the May are rewarded with a Europa League place.

As Man City, who are the favourites to win the famous trophy for the second year on the trot, are already assured of a place in next season's Champions League as they cannot drop out of the top four, an FA Cup victory would see their Europa League prize for winning the final at Wembley passed down the