A very specific permutation would allow Brentford – or whoever grabs sixth spot – to sneak into Europe’s premier competition rather than the Europa League.
The Premier League secured an extra Champions League place in April, meaning the top five will qualify for the league stage of next year’s competition.
Sixth would also get a team into next season’s Champions League if Aston Villa win the Europa League and finish fifth in the Premier League.
Because of the order in which Champions League berths are decided – European titles are allocated before the Premier League’s additional spot – sixth will not be good enough for the Champions League if Villa win the Europa League and finish in the top four.
Instead, Villa will qualify via their league position and the place reserved for the Europa League winners will pass to the league champions in qualifying with the best Uefa coefficient.
That could be Rangers if they win the Scottish Premiership.
Brentford fans should keep an eye on Villa’s Europa League semi-final against Nottingham Forest.
Villa lost the first leg 1-0 but are at home for the second leg on Thursday.
The winners will face Braga or Freiburg in the final on 20 May.
