Finance Expert: Aston Villa can stop Chelsea's season from going 'spectacularly wrong'

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(Credit: Imago) Tue 28 April 2026 12:15, UK Aston Villa could save Chelsea’s season from going “spectacularly wrong” by helping them secure Champions League football over the coming weeks. If Unai Emery’s side claim the European trophy and finish fifth in the Premier League, that would mean sixth place would qualify for the Champions League, handing Chelsea another opportunity to secure their spot for next season. ⚽ Chelsea Matchday⚽ Team news, line-ups, expert previews and tactical analysis for every Chelsea fixture at Stamford Bridge.

VISIT THE CHELSEA MATCH HUB MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Why Chelsea’s owners will continue to investChelsea’s financial situation has been questioned after posting a pre-tax loss of £262million last season, while failing to qualify for the Champions League would leave a significant hole in their accounts moving forward. “Villa might save them or somebody else in terms of sixth place because of course if Villa finish fifth and win the Europa League, then sixth is a Champions League place.” Why Chelsea are facing ‘very significant’ Champions League issueBorson insisted Chelsea’s settlement agreement with Uefa won’t help their cause if they fail to qualify for the Champions League this season.

“If Chelsea do miss out on the Champions League next season, it is going to be a very significant issue for them on top of everything else,” said Borson. “It probably would be fine if let’s say they weren’t in the settlement agreement with Uefa and they didn’t have to meet quite stringent squad cost ratio rules coming into the Premier League next season, and they had a front-of-shirt sponsor for £50m a year.