What latest UEFA coefficient rankings mean for Tottenham as Champions League hopes take twist

Tottenham's hopes of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League took a huge hit over the weekend. After being on the receiving end of a 4-0 loss at Newcastle United, Aston Villa's surprise 2-0 win over Arsenal saw Spurs drop to fifth.

Ange Postecoglou's men do have a game in hand, at home against Manchester City, but it's currently advantage to Villa heading into the final stretch. However, there remains an outside chance that Champions League football could still return to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Next season, the format of Europe's prestigious competition changes with four extra places up for grabs. Two of those will be handed to countries with the highest UEFA coefficient ranking based on results from teams' results in Europe this campaign.

Points are awarded for how far each club goes in a UEFA competition, with the average being sought for each country when the scores are divided by the number of the clubs taking part in the Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League. England have five teams involved: Arsenal and Manchester City (Champions League quarter-finalists); Liverpool and West Ham (Europa League quarter-finalists); Aston Villa (Europa Conference League quarter-finalist).

Italy lead the way by some distance meaning England and Germany will contest for second spot. Whoever comes out on top will earn an extra spot in the Champions League for the 2024/25 season.

However, the first-leg of the quarter-finals have left the Premier League's hopes of another spot in jeopardy. Arsenal and Manchester City both drew their quarter-final ties with Bayern Munich and Real Madrid respectively and must win in tonight's second-leg to progress.

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