Missing the Champions League: What it could mean for Man Utd, Aston Villa, Chelsea and Liverpool | OneFootball

The latest round of midweek matches in the Premier League highlighted how the top teams do not always have things their own way.

Arsenal took advantage of Manchester City’s draw with Nottingham Forest to open up a seven-point advantage at the top of the standings.

While the title chasers are nailed on to secure Champions League qualification, the battle to join them in the competition next season is as clear as mud.

Just three points separate Manchester United, Aston Villa, Chelsea and Liverpool with nine games remaining and the race looks set to go down to the wire.

Fifth place could be enough to secure a Champions League spot, leaving one member of that quartet facing a season in the Europa League.

With that in mind, read on as we look at the implications of missing out on the Champions League and what it could mean for each club.

The financial aspect

The total prize pool for the Champions League is approximately £3.8 billion. Every club participating in the league phase receives £16.1 million.

Clubs also secure an additional £1.8m per win and £600,000 for each draw. There are also financial incentives attached to each position in the league table.

There is more money up for grabs depending on which stage of the competition a club reaches. Paris Saint-Germain banked around £125m for winning the Champions League last season.

By contrast, the rewards are significantly lower in the Europa League. However, finances are only part of the equation for United, Villa, Chelsea and Liverpool.

Champions League qualification is essential for Carrick

Michael Carrick’s hopes of being appointed as Man United’s permanent manager will be determined by their finishing position at the end of the season.

The Red Devils are still third in the standings despite their midweek defeat at Newcastle United. Carrick will be desperate for the team to hang onto that position.

The former Middlesbrough manager improved United’s fortunes after replacing Ruben Amorim, but his team’s underwhelming performance at St James’ Park was a wake-up call.

If Carrick is to have any hope of remaining at Old Trafford, United must secure Champions League qualification without any drama.

Stumbling over the line would give the club’s board the chance to look elsewhere, while missing out completely would scupper Carrick’s chances of securing the job permanently.

Much like the other contenders, playing in the Champions League would significantly improve United’s chances of signing their primary transfer targets this summer.

Man Utd’s next game: at home to Aston Villa (March 14, 2026)

Villa walking a fine line with Emery

Unai Emery’s position is safe, regardless of where Villa finish in the table this season. However, if they miss out on the Champions League, the manager may feel he needs to move on.

Emery wasn’t overly enamoured with the club’s business during the winter transfer window, particularly given that injuries stretched his squad.

Financial restrictions are making it difficult for Villa to build on the progress they have made under Emery, but Champions League qualification would improve the picture.

Villa’s 4-1 home defeat against Chelsea on Wednesday hammered home the feeling that they are the team most likely to miss out on a place in UEFA’s top club competition.

Emery would not be short of suitors if he decides he has taken Villa as far as he can, which adds further pressure to their remaining games this season.

Returning to the Champions League would probably keep Emery happy. Missing out could leave Villa looking for a new manager.

Chelsea need stability under their scattergun owners

Chelsea are the epitome of a club where ‘drama’ rarely appears to be far from the surface. They can ill-afford to miss out on the Champions League.

Having guided the Blues to Europa Conference League and Club World Cup success last season, Enzo Maresca appeared to be in a strong position as manager.

However, he was sacked on January 1 after a breakdown in relations, a poor run of form and an ill-advised dalliance with Man City.

Liam Rosenior was appointed as his replacement, yet you would be hard-pressed to imagine he will see out the full term of his long-term contract.

Rosenior’s ‘corporate-speak’ management style appears to have impressed his bosses at Stamford Bridge, but professional football is more than just communicating well.

Missing out on the Champions League would crank up the pressure on a manager who still has to prove he can cut it at the highest level.

Chelsea’s next game: away to Wrexham in the FA Cup (March 7, 2026)

Liverpool need a reward for their mind-boggling outlay

Having messed up their bid to win back-to-back Premier League titles, Liverpool desperately need to end the season with a flourish.

Champions League qualification and winning the FA Cup would be a reasonable consolation prize for a club which spent a fortune on new players last summer.

Some pundits believe manager Arne Slot will be sacked if the club misses out on the Champions League, but he probably still has enough credit in the bank to avoid that fate.

A relatively favourable fixture list could help Liverpool’s cause. Their next five games all look winnable, and they could be in a strong position by the time they visit Man United.

The Reds still have to play Chelsea at Anfield, which potentially gives them the edge in the European race. They round off the season against Villa (A) and Brentford (H).

Splashing the cash inevitably raised expectations, but Liverpool should be able to secure a modicum of a return on that investment at the end of the campaign.