Champions League almost sewn up but race for Europe tighter than ever

Champions League almost sewn up but race for Europe tighter than everImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Aston Villa, in fourth, are 10 points clear of Chelsea in sixthByJoe RindlBBC Sport journalistPublished4 minutes agoCommentsThe race for Champions League qualification appears to be settled after two dramatic second-half injury-time winners on Sunday.Liverpool scored in the 100th minute and Aston Villa netted in the 93rd. Add in Manchester United's win on Saturday and those three teams look set join Arsenal and Manchester City in the top five come the end of the season.But while there might be a seven-point gap separating Liverpool in fifth and Chelsea in sixth, scrolling further down the table, the Europa League and Europa Conference League spots are anyone's guess.Just three points separate the sixth and 12th places - the smallest margin ever on this date in the Premier League's 34-season history.Six points separate sixth and 14th.Only once before in Premier League history has the gap between sixth and 14th been tighter on this date (19 April) and that was in the very first season of the competition in 1992-93 (five points).Back then only the top three got into the Europe, whereas this year 10 English clubs could potentially end up playing continental football next term.So, with even ninth place possibly good enough for a European tour next campaign, BBC Sport takes a look at the state of play.Man Utd, Villa and Liverpool set for Champions League?This season the Premier League's top five all qualify for the Champions League.Title-chasers Arsenal and Manchester City are both already assured of a top-five finish.Manchester United are third, level on 58 points with Aston Villa who beat Sunderland 4-3 in a thrilling encounter on Sunday.United and Villa are 10 points clear of sixth-placed Chelsea with only 15 more to play for. They both need just six more points to qualify for Europe's premier competition.In fifth are Liverpool, who lef...