Where would Aston Villa sit in the Premier League based on 2016 results?

Position: 19th
Games: 14
Points: 8

Aston Villa are on the verge of relegation from the Premier League after slipping 15 points adrift of safety with only five games remaining – Photo: Paul Roberts/Offside.

Something to cheer about? Certainly not. Despite Aston Villa sitting rock-bottom in the overall Premier League standings and the club’s relegation to the Championship set to be confirmed this weekend, unless the Villans defeat FA Cup semi-finalists Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday, plus other results go their way, then the fans have little to celebrate come the end of this 2015-16 campaign.

However; one thing that caretaker boss Eric Black can boast is that his side currently sit above Crystal Palace in the 2016 form standings, having collected two more points than the Eagles throughout this new calendar year.

Crucial 1-0 and 2-0 wins over Palace and fellow relegation candidates Norwich City at the beginning of January and February respectively injected a temporary sense of optimism inside Villa Park that Remi Garde’s men could beat the drop. But eight horrific straight defeats since Valentine’s Day has left the club in turmoil – let alone no love shown towards boss Garde who left the Midlands outfit by mutual consent at the end of last month.

Having fallen short in 10 of their 14 Premier League outings this year so far; Villa will be playing in the second-tier of English football next season, although arguably the most important task for the club’s board is finding the right man to manage Villa beyond this summer.