Arya News - Aston Villa boost their Champions League hopes with victory over Newcastle, but who else is in the battle for the European places?
Aston Villa kept themselves firmly in the race for Champions League qualification with a statement win over fellow European hopefuls Newcastle United.
Unai Emery"s side ran out 4-1 winners with a scintillating display at Villa Park to move level on points with Nottingham Forest in fifth and only two behind third-placed Newcastle.
A fifth consecutive league win was the perfect response to exiting the Champions League midweek as Villa fight to return to Europe"s premier club competition next season.
"Villa have destroyed Newcastle," former Everton midfielder Pat Nevin said on BBC Radio 5 Live.
"A lot of teams are beginning to wilt at this stage of the season. Aston Villa aren"t. They are looking very, very strong."
Speaking on Sky Sports, ex-Liverpool captain Jamie Redknapp added: "Aston Villa dismantled the in-form team in the Premier League. From minute one, they were excellent.
"Almost a managerial masterclass, from the team he [Unai Emery] picked, the style they played, the substitutions he brought on. Everything he did tonight he got right."
Next up for Villa is a trip to Manchester City, another side battling to make the top five.
"Belief and showing our capacity - we did it today," Emery told BBC Match of the Day.
"Tuesday is another test and another challenge for the team and the club. Man City is another huge test."
City kept themselves in the Champions League places courtesy of a 2-0 win at Everton .
But with just five points separating Newcastle and Chelsea in seventh - a gap that could be cut to two if the Blues win at Fulham on Sunday - the top-five race looks set to go down to the wire.
As such, having spent a large portion of the season in the top three, Nottingham Forest could be sixth by the time they kick off at Tottenham on Monday night.
As many as 11 European places are up for grabs and there will definitely be a minimum of eight teams - up from the usual seven - playing in Europe next season, but things could change in the coming weeks.
It means Crystal Palace down in 12th still have something to play for.
BBC Sport takes a look at how many teams could qualify for each of the European competitions - the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League.
How many teams could qualify for the Champions League?
Depending on how things pan out this season there will be between eight and 11 teams from the Premier League taking part in Europe next season.
A minimum of five of those will be in the Champions League, which is higher than the usual four because of England"s performance in Uefa"s coefficient rankings.
That number could rise to six should Arsenal win the Champions League and finish outside the top four - an unlikely prospect - or even seven if that happens and Manchester United or Tottenham win the Europa League.
[BBC]
How many teams could qualify for the Europa League?
The maximum number of Premier League teams who could be competing in the Europa League is three.
Two places will likely go to the team who finishes sixth and the FA Cup winners.
However, if the cup winners have already secured a European place it will then go to the next highest placed side that has not qualified for Europe.
A third place could be awarded if Chelsea win the Conference League and fail to qualify for the Champions League.
[BBC]
What about the Conference League?
There will be one Conference League place awarded to a Premier League team.
Currently, that will go to Carabao Cup winners Newcastle, but that could change if Eddie Howe"s side qualify for the Champions League or the Europa League.
As Newcastle currently sit inside the top four that looks likely.
There is realistic scenario where finishing ninth or 10th in the Premier League could earn you a spot in the Conference League.
How could 11 English teams be in Europe?
This could happen, but it is highly improbable.
It would require Arsenal to win the Champions League, Manchester United or Tottenham to win the Europa League and Chelsea to lift the Conference League trophy, and all three winners to finish outside the top six.
Arsenal are second in the Premier League and highly unlikely to finish outside the top five.
Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast
Get football news sent straight to your phone
