How Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea can still qualify for the Champions League

It ain't over yet!

Again top-tier opposition, the West London side have only won one match out of their past 11 - a narrow 1-0 victory in their FA Cup semi-final against Leeds United.

With such a lack of recent victories in the league, Champions League qualification through the top 5 poses absolutely no chance anymore. Liverpool in 5th, sit ten points ahead.

The Premier League's top five are guaranteed UCL football next season though, due to England set to top UEFA's European Performance Spots (EPS) for the second consecutive season.

And after all the fiasco of a poor season, Chelsea could still qualify for the Champions League, if a few circumstances go their way. We find out how.

Well it all initially comes down to Aston Villa, should the Villains win the Europa League and finish 5th.

Unai Emery's boys take on SC Freiburg in the final on Wednesday night in Istanbul, with the winners automatically qualifying for the Champions League.

If Villa finish fourth in the table and win the Europa League, the chance beckons for Chelsea. Villa would then qualify for the UCL through not only the Europa League, but their league position too.

Though, if Villa finish in the fifth EPS awarded spot and win the Europa League, the club would qualify as Europa League winners - whilst the EPS spot would move to the team in sixth.

Despite beating Liverpool 4-2 comfortably last week, Villa will finish fifth should they lose to Man City and Liverpool beat Brentford. This is due to their inferior goal difference, meaning dropping a place if the scores go against them.

But it's not just Aston Villa that Chelsea need a favour from, there are other results too.

Here's how Chelsea can still qualify for the Champions League

Chelsea can qualify if these circumstances play out:

• Villa win the Europa League and lose to Man City.
• Liverpool beat Brentford
• Brighton don't beat Man United
• Bournemouth lose both their remaining matches to Man City and Nottingham Forest
• Chelsea beat Spurs and Sunderland

A huge turn in form is needed for the Blues, who haven't won in the league since March 4.

They face London rivals Spurs tonight at Stamford Bridge.