How Chelsea can confirm Champions League qualification on final day

By Faith Barbara N Ruhinda Updated at 1438 EAT on Saturday 17 May 2025

Chelsea are one step closer to qualifying for next season’s Champions League following a 1-0 victory against Manchester United. After Harry Maguire saw his excellent opener disallowed by VAR for offside, Marc Cucurella grabbed the only goal of the game

Both the Blues and Aston Villa had the chance to put pressure on Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United before they play on Sunday.

Manchester City meanwhile, due to their participation in the FA Cup final, do not play their scheduled fixture at home to Bournemouth until Tuesday

Villa met a stubborn test in the first 45 minutes and were unable to find a way through but Ezri Konsa calmed nerves when he flicked home Ollie Watkins’ knock down from a corner just before the half hour mark.

Boubacar Kamara then grabbed a second later in the half with a powerful strike from just outside of the box.

The three points took Villa into the top four momentarily with Chelsea level against Man United when the full-time whistle went at Villa Park.

Nonetheless, Chelsea still won and thus moved back into the Champions League qualification spots and onto 66 points – above Villa on goal difference.

Newcastle are also on that tally but a three-goal swing over Chelsea, which was made last weekend, kept them third. That could decrease however, when they face Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.

With Villa and Chelsea both winning, Man City were the team to drop out of the top five but they will have the chance to move back up the table and onto a maximum of 68 points if they beat Bournemouth in a few days.

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