Predicting Aston Villa's Final Premier League Points Tally
It's been a tough season for Aston Villa in their first Premier League campaign since 2015/16.
The Villans returned to the English top flight having crept up through the Championship play-offs, thanks in large to Tammy Abraham's 26 goals.
However, after the current Chelsea star's departure, Villa failed to effectively replace their old forward and now lack any kind of impetus going forward. The most out of form team in the league with just four points from their last six games, the three-month hiatus will have served as a welcome break for Dean Smith's side as he looks to recuperate his team in their bid for survival.
Currently second from bottom, though just two points from safety with a game in hand, Villa will look to return to action with a newfound belief.
Here we take a look at how Villa could fare between now and the end of the season.
Matchday 29 - Sheffield United (Home)
Date: Wednesday 17 June
Time: 18:00 BST
Channel (UK): Sky Sports
Villa have been given the tall order of resuming their Premier League campaign against high-flyers Sheffield United. The Blades mustered a 2-0 victory when the two sides met in December, though Villa's play was encouraging at times. An inspired performance from John Fleck ultimately proved the difference as United capitalised on Villa's poor finishing.
Since then, the sides have been on two very different journeys. The Blades are looking to continue their four match unbeaten run, defying the odds in their push for Champions League football, while the Villans are looking to break free from the shackles of the relegation zone.
United head into this match knowing they must capitalise in order to keep the pressure on Manchester United and Wolves. Villa will want a shot at revenge here, but the Blades may prove to be too sharp.
Verdict: Loss
Total Points Tally: 25 points
Matchday 30 - Chelsea (Home)
Date: Sunday 21 June
Time: 16:15 BST
Channel (UK): Sky Sports
Another home game for Villa, this time against a tricky Chelsea side. In the Blues' last outing, they destroyed Everton at Stamford Bridge with a new star in Billy Gilmour emerging out of nowhere.
Chelsea are currently clinging on to fourth place, though Manchester United, Wolves and Sheffield United are all in the race for that Champions League spot. This will likely prove to be a tough fixture for the Villans, as Frank Lampard's men will enter this tie considerably more confident than their struggling counterparts.
The last time Villa were able to muster a victory over Chelsea was in March 2014. Expect the Blues to continue their winning ways.
Verdict: Loss
Total Points Tally: 25 points
Matchday 31 - Newcastle (Away)
Date: Wednesday 24 June
Time: 18:00 BST
Channel (UK): BT Sport
Villa's first away test will come against mid-table Newcastle. The Magpies are having a below average season, sitting shakily in 12th, but are eight points clear of the relegation zone.
With speculation over Newcastle's takeover refusing to dissipate, Steve Bruce will seek a strong response from his side in order to increase his job security.
Villa managed a 2-0 victory in the reverse fixture in what was a commanding performance from Smith's side. While the Villans will want much of the same in this fixture, St James' Park is never an easy place to go.
Verdict: Draw
Total Points Tally: 26
Matchday 32 - Wolves (Home)
Date: Saturday 27 June
Time: 12:30 BST
Channel (UK): BT Sport
Matchday 32 sees an all West-Midlands affair at Villa Park with Nuno Espirito Santo's Wolves coming to town.
Expect this to be a gritty affair but one Wolves will head into with confidence. The Wanderers are enjoying an impressive campaign and are in the running for top four contention, with Santo's tactically astute side a tough test for every team in the Premier League.
Wolves won the reverse fixture 2-1 at Molineux Stadium in a close affair, but the gulf in quality between the two sides may again prove too much this time around.
Verdict: Loss
Total Points Tally: 26 points
Matchday 33 - Liverpool (Away)
The last time these two met - in the Carabao Cup - it was a strange affair. Liverpool famously fielded a lineup of kids as Jurgen Klopp rested his entire first team for an upcoming Champions League match.
Despite some admirable passages of play from the youngsters, Villa came away with a crushing 5-0 victory in their run to the final. With Liverpool running away with the league, this fixture is the perfect opportunity to exact revenge for the Reds.
However inexperienced that side may have been, a 5-0 loss is still a bit embarrassing, so expect Klopp to field his strongest team to avenge the kids.
Verdict: Loss
Total Points Tally: 26 points
Matchday 34 - Manchester United (Home)
Around about now you may begin to realise it's not looking too good for Villa. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's United are looking to seal a route back into the Champions League and can't afford any more slip-ups before the end of the campaign.
Villa grabbed a hard-earned draw in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford, but with Bruno Fernandes now pulling the strings in midfield, United look like a different animal.
However, this is one of those matches where you wouldn't be too surprised to see an inspired performance from the underdog. The Villans came so close to an upset in their last meeting and, as we well know, United do like to bottle it from time to time, so expect Villa to come out swinging in this one.
Verdict: Win
Total Points Tally: 29 points
Matchday 35 - Crystal Palace (Home)
This tends to be a tight one to call. The reverse fixture at the end of August was a nervy affair, as Villa went down to ten men and lost the game 1-0 thanks to a classy Jordan Ayew finish.
Around about this time, Villa's survival mode should kick in. This is the type of fixture a home crowd can make all the difference in, though obviously that won't be the case here, but hopefully the familiar claret and blue backdrop of a vacant Villa Park will see them over the line.
Verdict: Win
Total Points Tally: 32
Matchday 36 - Everton (Away)
Everton can still technically push for a Europa League spot, though their form has been a little too erratic.
The Toffees suffered defeat to Villa in the reverse fixture at the beginning of the season. The Villans were more clinical with their chances, despite surrendering possession to Marco Silva's side for large parts of the game.
By this time, Everton could well be in the running for a top seven finish. However, it's matches like these that the Toffees famously tend to muck up in, so expect a close affair.
Verdict: Draw
Total Points Tally: 33 points
Matchday 37 - Arsenal (Home)
You have to go back to 2013 to find the last time Villa managed a win against Arsenal. Mikel Arteta's Gunners were enjoying a resurgence in form before the hiatus, with the new gaffer in the process of implementing a new and effective brand of football.
The reverse fixture in September saw Arsenal come away with a close 3-2 victory despite having a man sent off in the first half, and they remain in contention for a Champions League spot - however unlikely that may seem.
The Gunners look rejuvenated under Arteta and Villa could get blown away in this one.
Verdict: Loss
Total Points Tally: 33 points
Matchday 38 - West Ham (Away)
The battle of the claret and blues. This tie could prove to be huge, as Villa visit fellow relegation strugglers West Ham on the final day of the season.
Both teams are likely to be around the relegation zone by the time this one kicks off, so a winner-takes-all affair could be on the cards. The reverse fixture was a goalless stalemate, remembered mostly for Tyrone Mings and Anwar El Ghazi's bust-up on the pitch.
The Hammers, like Villa, just haven't got going this season. Big name players like Felipe Anderson and club record signing Sebastian Haller have failed to hit any kind of form at all so far.
The Irons also have one of the worst home records in the league. Teams seem to relish the trip to the London Stadium, and Villa will be no different.
The implications of this fixture remain to be seen, but expect there to be plenty of nerves.
Verdict: Win
Total Points Tally: 36 points