Aston Villa, Chelsea and Newcastle's Champions League qualification fate predicted in updated final table

Aston Villa's hopes of Champions League football next season took yet another hit at Selhurst Park after a demoralising 4-1 defeat to Crystal Palace on Tuesday.

The Villans, who currently sit 10th in the table imploded in south London as the likes of Ismaila Sarr, Jean Phillepe Mateta and Eddie Nketiah all got on the scoresheet for an Eagles frontline that simply ran Villa’s defence ragged in the capital.

“We have not been consistent enough,” admitted Emery, whose side have kept only three clean sheets all season. “Now we have to manage the frustration that we have today and move on.”

Having set a club record of 34 in his first 100 Premier League appearances, Emiliano Martinez prides himself on clean sheets. It is an issue, Emery admits he is keen to rectify after four points behind Chelsea in the race for fourth while also playing one game extra.

“With Emiliano Martinez, with the centre-backs, with the full-backs, with the midfielders, with the strikers. We have to be compact and be disciplined tactically to do the best we possibly can to feel strong. We have to try to stop the opponent individually and collectively.”

Aston Villa will hope to claw their way back into the hunt for Champions League football with wins in their upcoming top-flight matches against Brentford and Brighton in a run of games which are sandwiched between a Champions League double-header with Club Brugge. But how do the data experts at OPTA expect Villa to fare in the final furlong of the season? Here we take a look at their updated Premier League final table based on form, fixtures, performances and recent XG.

The Premier League title race

Arsenal’s defeat to West Ham leaves them chasing shadows in the title race - and OPTA Sport now believes Liverpool are in pole position to win the Premier League for just the second time.

The data experts expect Arne Slot’s side to pick up a resounding 88 points - leaving Liverpool with a 97% chance of being crowned champions.

The Gunners are expected to settle for second place for a third consecutive season while champions Manchester City are expected to rise to third, marking an ultimately disappointing season after four consecutive title triumphs.

Will Aston Villa qualify for the Champions League?

Nottingham Forest have been the surprise package of the season, with the likes of Chris Wood, Ola Aina, Elliot Anderson and Mats Selz among others all enjoying stellar campaigns. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side fell to a 4-3 defeat against fellow European hopefuls Newcastle but are still expected to have enough to seal a fourth place finish with OPTA giving them a 40.55% chance of securing Champions League football.

Newcastle United, who are the only team still remaining in both domestic cup competitions, are expected to finish in fifth place, which may still be enough to secure Champions League football due to England’s strong coefficient this season.

Chelsea, despite thumping Southampton 4-0 in their last match, are expected to settle for a sixth place finish for the second consecutive season. Meanwhile, Brighton and Aston Villa are expected to narrowly miss on European football, with Bournemouth clinching the final Conference League place by finishing seventh.

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Here is the full Premier League table from top to bottom, courtesy of data from OPTA Sport:

1. Liverpool
2. Arsenal
3. Man City
4. Nottingham Forest
5. Newcastle United
6. Chelsea
7. Bournemouth
8. Brighton
9. Aston Villa
10. Fulham
11. Brentford
12. Crystal Palace
13. Tottenham
14. Man Utd
15. West Ham
16. Everton
17. Wolves
18. Ipswich
19. Leicester City
20. Southampton

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