The Premier League has failed to secure a fifth Champions League spot for the upcoming 2024-25 season, with the additional place going to the Bundesliga instead.
This development comes as one club from each of the two countries that collectively perform best in European club competitions are granted additional spots in the new 36-team league phase.
The second spot for Germany was sealed by Borussia Dortmund’s victory over Paris St Germain in the Champions League semi-final. This triumph means that no matter how well Aston Villa performs in the Europa Conference League, England cannot secure an extra place for the Champions League.
Aston Villa must now maintain their fourth spot in the Premier League standings to qualify for the Champions League. Although they currently hold a seven-point lead over Tottenham, Spurs have two games in hand, posing a potential threat to Villa’s position.
Dortmund, currently occupying fifth place in the Bundesliga, would benefit from the second ‘European Performance Spot’ (EPS). If Dortmund were to win the Champions League this season, the team finishing sixth in the Bundesliga, currently Eintracht Frankfurt, would secure the EPS.
