Man Utd, Liverpool, Chelsea and Villa get mixed verdict in Champions League race

Another weekend of Premier League action and another twist – this time in the race for the Champions League places.

Aston Villa were the biggest losers, with their 2-0 defeat by bottom side Wolves on Friday punished by their rivals. Manchester United leapfrogged Unai Emery’s side into third with their 2-1 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Villa have won just one of their last five in the league and are at risk of being caught by the chasing pack, led by Liverpool, who made it three league wins in a row after smashing five past West Ham. It’s a similar story for Chelsea, who are sixth and without a win in three following their defeat by leaders Arsenal on Sunday.

Brentford are now only two points behind Chelsea and are dark horses to remarkably qualify for European football’s top club competition in Keith Andrews’ debut campaign. That is because fifth place is almost certain to be good enough for a place in next season’s Champions League due to England’s current place in UEFA coefficient.

All the sides in the mix now have 10 league matches left to settle it. So who will find form and who will slip up? Here Mirror Football’s writers give their assessment and prediction.

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Andy Dunn

Manchester United are a shoo-in for a Champions League place. Words you would not have imagined saying a couple of months ago but hard to argue against right now. The workload is the key. Michael Carrick does not have serious injury concerns and his squad is expensively-assembled and talented. Combine that with a schedule that sees them play three matches in the next three weeks and you see why United have a huge advantage.

In those three weeks, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal all have six fixtures to fulfil, while Aston Villa have five. United will come third behind Arsenal and Manchester City (the top two in whatever order you fancy), leaving the remaining two Champions League places to be contested by Villa, Liverpool and Chelsea.

And on the basis that Unai Emery and his players look a little rattled and off the pace right now, it could well be Villa who miss out. Brentford will keep the top five honest but have United, City and Liverpool in their last five fixtures and will have to settle for a Europa League spot.

John Cross

The magical fifth place is a three-way battle between Aston Villa, Chelsea and Brentford. You are forgetting Liverpool and Manchester United, I hear you say. No. Liverpool and United will make the top four, in my opinion.

And I’m feeling particularly smug because at the start of the season I tipped United for the Champions League places. Not sure anyone expected them to get there with Michael Carrick in charge, but there you go…

Liverpool are too good, too strong and too powerful not to make it. Then, as it stands, the Premier League is on course for the fifth bonus place because the teams are doing so well in European competition. Villa are still my favourites – even though their form has fallen off a cliff. I think Unai Emery has worked miracles on a budget even if he could do with shaking hands rather than being such a bad loser.

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Chelsea are still in the mix and I think Liam Rosenior is doing a great job but the red cards are undermining his chances. They really should be in it. If they don’t, it’s a failure on their part and a missed opportunity.

Then Brentford. I genuinely think they’re in with a shout. What a job Keith Andrews has done. But it’ll be Manchester City, Arsenal, United, Liverpool and Villa.

Jeremy Cross

The top three looks nailed on to be Arsenal, Manchester City and a rejuvenated Manchester United. The top two cannot be caught or overhauled, while United are on a roll under Michael Carrick and high on confidence.

To help their situation, they don’t have the demands of Europe to be concerned with, either. Unlike Aston Villa, who appear to be in freefall. Villa are going backwards faster than Lando Norris in reverse – and appear to have peaked a few months too soon.

Liverpool and Chelsea will overhaul them in the top five. Arne Slot’s men have regained some confidence, while the financial implications of Chelsea missing out on Champions League football will drive them to secure a top five finish. Despite the wonderful season Brentford are having, the underdogs will come up just short.

Nathan Ridley

Sorry, Aston Villa fans, but I think your team will miss out. Manchester United are flying under Michael Carrick and with no European football to contend with, they won’t suffer from the same kind of late-season congestion that hinders most clubs.

Liverpool are quietly improving and although their defensive woes aren’t yet a thing of the past, Arne Slot’s men have the muscle memory to get over the line and juggle multiple competitions. Chelsea will be pushed closest by Villa, but I predict a last-16 exit in the Champions League for Liam Rosenior and co. which will focus their efforts on the top flight.

Unai Emery should be – and no-doubt will be – doing everything he can to bring the Europa League trophy to Villa Park. But as history shows us, winning that competition rarely coincides with a strong end to the domestic campaign.

Sam Meade

When it is all said and done in May I think it will be Chelsea who fail to back up last season’s top-five finish, and thus miss out on the Champions League. For all their quality, they are struggling to put it onto the pitch in a game plan that is continually effective.

Manchester United are on a roll and now look firm favourites to finish in third, such has been their surge with Carrick at the helm. Liverpool, despite their midseason wobble, have too much quality to not get over the line.

Which leaves Aston Villa and Chelsea battling for fifth. Emery’s side were once tipped as outsiders for the title, but their decline in recent months has their top-five spot in doubt. The only thing that may well keep them above the Blues in the six-point buffer they enjoy. If they and Chelsea were neck and neck today, I think the west Londoners would get over the line at Villa’s expense, but Emery looks set to land another Champions League year at Villa Park.

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