After Aston Villa just about stayed afloat in their first season back in the Premier League, many fans didn't give them much hope of surviving next time round.
Villa, on the final day of the 2019-20 season, beat the drop by one point after a 1-1 draw at West Ham - with club hero Jack Grealish scoring the goal that ultimately kept their top-flight status intact.
Despite their survival, the signs weren't great for Villa and Dean Smith had come under scrutiny following some lacklustre and below-par performances in the Premier League as they were served a reality check coming up against England's elite.