Two of the Premier League's surprise packages this season — Bournemouth and Brighton and Hove Albion — are still in the running for a place in next season's UEFA Champions League, with the final day of the campaign capable of delivering a remarkable outcome for one of them.

How a sixth Premier League club could reach Europe's elite competition

The first domino fell on Wednesday night, when Unai Emery led Aston Villa to victory in the UEFA Europa League — a feat the manager has now achieved with three different clubs, having previously won it with Sevilla and Villarreal. Villa's triumph is what opened the door to a potential sixth Premier League berth in the Champions League.

The mechanism hinges on UEFA's coefficient-based allocation system. Each season, the two national leagues with the highest coefficients — this year England and Spain — are awarded an additional Champions League place, which goes to the highest-ranked domestic team that has not already secured qualification by other means.

Because Villa have already earned their European spot by lifting the Europa League, their league finish determines how the additional berth is distributed. If Villa end the season in fifth place, they occupy that position as Europa League winners rather than as a league qualifier, which pushes the bonus Champions League slot down to the team finishing sixth.

It is worth noting that if Villa were to finish fourth instead, no extra place would be generated — that scenario was tested when Liverpool won the Champions League in 2005 but had finished fifth in the league; UEFA made a one-off exception then, but the rules have since been firmed up.

What must happen on Sunday

For sixth place to carry a Champions League berth, two results are required on the final day:

Liverpool must beat Brentford at home, and Aston Villa must lose away to Manchester City — both by any scoreline.

Should both results go the right way, the club finishing sixth enters Europe's premier club competition next season.

Bournemouth currently occupy that sixth spot and will hold it as long as they avoid defeat away to Nottingham Forest. Even a draw would be enough for the Cherries. Should Bournemouth lose, Brighton and Hove Albion could seize sixth by winning at home to Manchester United.

There is one scenario that is entirely closed off: Liverpool cannot benefit from finishing sixth. If they were to drop points against Brentford and be overtaken by Bournemouth, Villa would be guaranteed to finish fourth — which eliminates the extra slot altogether.

For two clubs who have never competed in the Champions League, Sunday represents a genuine, if narrow, opportunity to make history.