Extra English UEFA Cup place next season - but not for Villa

May 9 2008

The Football Association has been awarded an extra place in next season's UEFA Cup - but it is unlikely to go Aston Villa if they miss out on fifth place in the Premiership.

Villa are currently locked in a battle with Everton for automatic entry into the UEFA Cup, awarded to whoever finishes fifth in the Premiership. Everton occupy the position and are three points ahead of Villa with one game to play.

But the extra UEFA Cup place will not go to the team finishing sixth. European football's governing body has revealed that English teams topped their Fair Play competition, meaning an extra place in the first qualifying round of the 2008-09 UEFA Cup.

The FA has confirmed the berth will be awarded to the highest-ranked side in the Premier League Fair Play table that has not qualified for Europe by other means.

Manchester City currently stand fifth in the fair play table, behind Tottenham, Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool - who are all already guaranteed a place in continental competition. Villa are in 11th place.