Aston Villa are currently sitting in third place in the Premier League table with a six-point advantage over their rivals for the Champions League places
Tammy Abraham celebrates scoring with teammates Ezri Konsa and Lamare Bogarde during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Leeds United at Villa Park.
Tammy Abraham scored a late Aston Villa equaliser vs Leeds. (Image: Naomi Baker, Getty Images)
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Gary Lineker has backed Aston Villa to secure a Champions League spot this season, with January signing Tammy Abraham named as a key reason.
The striker scored his first goal since his return to the club over the weekend as Villa rescued a point from the clash against Leeds United. Villa had trailed since the 31st minute thanks to Anton Stach's free-kick, but in the 88th minute, Abraham scored what could be a crucial equaliser.
The result means that Unai Emery's side are six points clear of their rivals in the race for Champions League football next season. That gap could decrease to three points with Manchester United in action against Everton on Monday night.
United remain undefeated since Michael Carrick took interim charge at Old Trafford, claiming four victories and one draw in their Premier League fixtures. Going into the fixture, United occupy fifth place in the standings, but a result without defeat would see them leapfrog Chelsea into fourth.
England's European coefficient suggests that the top five are likely to secure Champions League qualification for next season. That's welcome news for the clubs, including Villa, competing for those positions.
However, with six teams currently in contention, it guarantees that at least one will be left disappointed.
Speaking on The Rest is Football, Lineker has shared his thoughts on which side will miss out. "It's pretty tight up there for the Champions League spots," he said.
"I would say Villa probably, they've got a lot of fixtures. The addition of Tammy Abraham will help them, they'll be in the top five.
Tammy Abraham celebrates scoring during the Premier League match at Villa Park.
Tammy Abraham scored Aston Villa's equaliser in the 1-1 draw with Leeds United. (Image: Bruce Rollinson/PA Wire.)
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"Then two from three. At the moment, the three of them are on 45 points. I think the way they are going, if they stay injury-free, United will take one of them.
"Who would have thought that if you said last season that Man United would finish above Liverpool? Even a few weeks ago you would have gone, what?
"I think the other spot is between Liverpool and Chelsea. I think United will do it, they've got momentum, belief, but as long as they don't have any injuries, because I don't think they'll cope with that. If they don't, I think they'll finish in the top five.
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"Chelsea and Liverpool are both erratic. Chelsea have got a lot going for them, but a bit inexperienced. Liverpool are definitely better than they were in the first half of the season. Defensively, they aren't giving goals away.
"If you pinned me against the wall and asked me to give you the top five; Arsenal, City, Villa, Man United and Liverpool, Chelsea just missing out."
Villa are currently in third position, ahead of Chelsea, United and Liverpool. The three clubs occupying fourth, fifth and sixth are only divided by goal difference.
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