The race for the top four! Who is challenging for the Champions League spots in England

The Premier League season is hotting up, and six teams still have the potential to finish in or miss out on the prestigious top four.

This season more so than ever has created twists like no other, with teams like Newcastle United, Brighton, and Aston Villa flying above expectations.

Unlike the bottom of the league, some teams have games in hand on the teams around them, adding greater importance to victories and results as the season closes.

Let's look at the teams fighting for the top four spots in the Premier League table!

After beating Tottenham at the weekend, Aston Villa cannot finish in the Champions League spots. However, they can still finish in the Europa League position.

Under the guidance of Unai Emery after Steven Gerrard's sacking last year, Villa has flown up the league. However, they now face  Liverpool and Brighton before the end of the season, meaning even European qualification will be a success.

Brighton's Champions League hopes were dealt a massive blow, losing to relegation-threatened Everton at home 5-1. However, after beating Arsenal at the weekend, they can still slip into the top four.

Brighton still has four games in the league, two more than the teams around them. Despite that, in two of the last four, Brighton faces Manchester City and Newcastle. So, do they have an advantage?

It's been a nightmare the last couple of months for Tottenham, sacking two managers and conceding goals like a sinking ship.

Spurs face Leeds United and Liverpool in fifth, making for a tough run in after losing to Aston Villa 2-1 last time out.

After a poor start to the season by Liverpool's standards, in the last six games, The Reds have been on fire, winning all six and closing on Manchester United and Newcastle for the final top four spot.

After beating Leicester City 3-0 last night, Liverpool finds themselves one point behind Manchester United and still has to face relegated Southampton in their final two fixtures.

A trophy, another cup final to look forward to, and a potential Champions League spot make for good reading if you're a Manchester United fan. After some poor performances, United got back on track, beating Wolves 2-0 last time.

United have one game in hand over Liverpool and plays two of their last three games at home, meeting Chelsea and Fulham at Old Trafford, with a game at Bournemouth in between.

After three emphatic victories over Tottenham, Everton, and Southampton, Newcastle United will still be looking over their shoulder after a 2-2 draw away to Leeds at the weekend.

Eddie Howe has taken this Newcastle team from the depths of relegation to a middle-table finish and now to potential Champions League nights. They still have to face Leicester in their final three games, making it hard not to dream if you're a 'Magpie' fan.