Jamie Carragher makes Aston Villa Champions League prediction at expense of Chelsea

Evening Standard

·12 maggio 2025

Jamie Carragher makes Aston Villa Champions League prediction at expense of Chelsea

Blues have a 56.3% chance of qualifying for the Champions League

Jamie Carragher has predicted Chelsea to miss out on Champions League qualification to Aston Villa.

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The top five in the Premier League this season will earn a place at Europe’s top table for the 2025/26 campaign. Champions Liverpool are, so far, the only side guaranteed to qualify, though Arsenal are expected to join them.

That said, just six points separates the Gunners in second to Nottingham Forest in seventh, with the Blues currently occupying the final qualification place by virtue of a superior goal difference to Villa.

All the teams in the Champions League race have two Premier League games left to play, so many twists and turns are expected.

As things stand, Chelsea are in control of their own destiny. According to Opta, they have a 56.3 per cent of qualifying as maximum points against Manchester United and Forest will seal their return to Europe’s premier competition.

However, with a visit to the City Ground on the final day of the season shaping up to be a Champions League qualification playoff, Carragher has predicted a scenario where both teams miss out on a top five finish.

Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: “Chelsea will beat Man United [on Friday]. It is whether they can beat Nottingham Forest away [on the final day of the season].

“There will be a big atmosphere there [at the City Ground on the last day of the season].

"Maybe even if they can’t get Champions League football, I think Nottingham Forest, last game of the season, the supporters will be desperate to say, almost like a big thank you, for the season that they’ve had.

"Forest have got European football, great achievement.

“I actually think it will be Chelsea and Nottingham Forest who miss out and Aston Villa get in.”

For Villa to get in ahead of Chelsea they have to better Enzo Maresca side’s results in the final two games.

Tottenham, who will have one eye on next week’s Europa League final, are the visitors to Villa Park this Friday night before Unai Emery’s side complete the campaign away at Manchester United who are unpredictable at Old Trafford.