Inside the great race for Champions League football: How Aston Villa could pave the way for Bournemouth, Brighton or Brentford in Europe's top competition... but Jose Mourinho's Benfica can hijack the spot!

More from Sports

• Lionel Messi opens up on 'beautiful sporting rivalry' with Cristiano Ronaldo - and gives Barcelona star Lamine Yamal the ultimate praise ahead of El Clasico

• Crystal Palace hoping to convince Andoni Iraola to replace Oliver Glasner - with four alternatives discussed in case Bournemouth boss rejects offer

• Real Madrid stars Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni hit with €500k fines EACH after shocking training ground bust-up - as Uruguayan emerges for first time since incident

• The winner of Fabio Wardley vs Daniel Dubois is set for a collision course with Anthony Joshua or Tyson Fury - and here's why Frank Warren's 'don't blink' advice is incredibly apt, writes JEFF POWELL

• Bruno Fernandes named Player of the Year: Man United captain narrowly beats Arsenal star to land football writers' award and become club's first winner since 2010

• 'The fans have to know we're also unhappy with the season... we DO care. But we are also human and we need days off': DOMINIK SZOBOSZLAI on Liverpool's faltering campaign - and Arne Slot's future

• I trained like Daniel Dubois! Watch his trainer Don Charles put Daily Mail Sport through their paces - with the help of coach Mohammed Ali

• 'It's the golden pot at the end of the rainbow': Glamorgan star MASON CRANE reveals his burning England ambition - and the secrets of how he changed his game after crushing Test debut Down Under

• Now the PARENTS are getting involved in Real Madrid crisis! Florentino Perez 'has received complaints from parents of TWO stars over lack of playing time' as Spanish club unravels after string of training ground clashes

• Bournemouth confirm investigation into Alex Jimenez, 21, over alleged messages to 15-year-old girl as player is excluded from squad for match this weekend

• ESPN presenter issues grovelling apology after claiming Mikel Arteta 'deserved to be PUNCHED in the face' for Champions League semi-final antics in shocking on-air comment

• Fabio Wardley questions whether Oleksandr Usyk is 'ducking him' as he sends message to 'quitter' Daniel Dubois before Manchester showdown

• The mad dash for European final tickets: How much Aston Villa and Crystal Palace fans face paying to get to Istanbul and Leipzig is revealed - as UEFA confirm pitiful allocation for historic games

• Arsenal are FAVOURITES to win the Champions League final against PSG according to latest supercomputer prediction - as chances of winning historic double are revealed

• Real Madrid star Federico Valverde 'was bleeding and unconscious' after dressing room clash with Aurelien Tchouameni - as players cast glum figures on return to training (though Kylian Mbappe is STILL laughing)

• The secrets behind Aston Villa's Europa League comeback: How senior players pulled together in crucial meeting, the away fans ticket trick, backfiring Forest fireworks and how Unai Emery got the best out of John McGinn

• Gloating Sky Sports pundit moved by stewards after winding up Nottingham Forest fans during Aston Villa's Europa League semi-final triumph

• Revealed: Southampton staff member 'caught spying in Middlesbrough bushes' was a junior intern as EFL launch probe

• NHS hospital responds to American bare-knuckle boxer after he attacked staff who 'wouldn't be allowed to work on farm animals' in the US in shocking rant about his health treatment - and he is fighting in the UK again this weekend!

• 'It's the best feeling ever. It's unique': The essential guide to winning the play-offs, by those who've actually done it - DON'T look around Wembley, DO insult your own players... and bring a Roy Chubby Brown VHS!