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It wasn't only Aston Villa fans who were celebrating the club's commanding 3–0 Europa League final victory over Freiburg on Wednesday evening, as supporters of numerous other Premier League clubs were also rooting for Unai Emery's side.
Brilliant strikes from Youri Tielemans and Emi Buendía were complemented by a Morgan Rogers goal as Villa coasted to their first European trophy since 1982, and their victory could have a significant effect on the battle for Champions League qualification.
As it currently stands, only England's top five sides will compete in Europe's top club competition next season, but Villa's triumph in Istanbul could mean the team finishing sixth also earns a spot when the final round of Premier League fixtures concludes on Sunday.
Here's how that scenario could unfold.
How Six Premier League Teams Can Qualify for the Champions League
Four of the current top five have already secured their place in next season's Champions League. Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Villa have all confirmed their participation and will be joined by either Liverpool or Bournemouth—almost certainly the former.
England's UEFA coefficient has earned the country an additional Champions League place for 2026–27, which is currently being occupied by Liverpool in fifth. The Europa League winner is also guaranteed a berth in the Champions League.
As a result, should Villa finish fifth, their bonus slot would be passed down to the team finishing sixth in the Premier League, given that Villa have already secured an additional performance-based place by winning the Europa League.
For Villa to end up in fifth, they would need to lose their final match of the season away at Man City, while Liverpool would also have to beat Brentford at home in their last game. The Reds' better goal difference would see them jump above Villa into fourth in that situation.
Should that happen, the team in sixth—currently Bournemouth—would also secure Champions League football. The Cherries know that a draw in their away fixture at Nottingham Forest would be enough to lock in sixth place, while there is also a slim possibility of finishing fifth with a win at the City Ground.
Brighton & Hove Albion are the only other side with a chance of finishing sixth and claiming a Champions League spot, though they would need to win at home against Manchester United on the final day and rely on Bournemouth losing at Forest.
Eighth-placed Chelsea cannot climb high enough to re-enter the Champions League, as they sit four points behind Bournemouth.