Premier League claims fifth Champions League spot

Arsenal's 3-0 win over Real Madrid means at least five Premier League teams will play in next season's Champions League, the English top flight confirmed on Wednesday.

The top four sides in the Premier League automatically qualify for Europe's top club competition.

But due to the success of English clubs in the three European competitions, England is now guaranteed a top-two placing in  UEFA's association club coefficient rankings, which earns a European Performance Spot.

England lead the way, with Spain and Italy next on the list.

Five English teams are involved in the quarter-finals of the various European competitions -- Arsenal and Aston Villa in the Champions League, Manchester United and Tottenham in the Europa League and Chelsea in the Conference League.

The Premier League could potentially have as many as seven clubs in next season's Champions League -- the top five teams in the league, plus the Champions League winners and the Europa League winners if they finish outside the top five.

Liverpool are almost certain to win the Premier League and Arsenal, in second, are well-placed. 

But there is a scrap for the remaining Champions League spots, with just six points separating third-placed Nottingham Forest from Villa, in seventh.

Arsenal shocked 15-time European champions Real Madrid 3-0 on Tuesday in the first leg of their quarter-final, with Villa in action against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday. 

jw/bsp