Aston Villa took part in the most recent Premier League fixture before the coronavirus outbreak wreaked havoc across the sporting calendar, but it was one to forget for Dean Smith as his side suffered a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Leicester City.
Now, the Lions prepare to take on European hopefuls Sheffield United as the English top flight returns on Wednesday, and Smith's side will be aiming to end a run of four consecutive league defeats in what has been a woeful season for Villa.
Indeed, Smith's men are at risk of a swift return to the Championship as they lie 19th in the table on 25 points, but Villa can temporarily leapfrog Bournemouth, Watford and West Ham United into 16th should they pick up all three points against the Blades in midweek.
However, maintaining that position will be a difficult ask for the Lions as they welcome Chelsea to Villa Park a few days later before travelling up north to face Newcastle United.
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The fixtures that follow for Villa will not fill the Claret and Blue faithful with confidence as the battle to avoid the drop hots up - with Smith's side facing consecutive matches against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Liverpool and Manchester United.
Games with the European-chasing pack do not let up there for Smith's side as they next play host to Crystal Palace before travelling to Everton in their penultimate away match of the season.
Villa's final game on home soil is not a favourable one either as they welcome Arsenal to the West Midlands, but they will feel confident of picking up points in their closing match of the campaign against an out-of-sorts West Ham.
Given Villa's under-par form prior to the enforced shutdown and the top-half teams they are still to face in the 2019-20 campaign, it is fair to say that Smith's side will need to produce a miraculous turnaround if they are to avoid the drop.
Aston Villa's remaining fixtures in full
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Sheffield United (h) – Wednesday, June 17 at 6pm
Chelsea (h) – Sunday, June 21 at 4.15pm
Newcastle United (a) – Wednesday, June 24 at 6pm
Wolverhampton Wanderers (h) – Saturday, June 27 at 12.30pm
Liverpool (a) – Saturday, July 4 at 3pm*
Manchester United (h) – Wednesday, July 8 at 8pm*
Crystal Palace (h) – Saturday, July 11 at 3pm*
Everton (a) – Wednesday, July 15 at 8pm*
Arsenal (h) – Saturday, July 18 at 3pm*
West Ham United (a) – Sunday, July 26 at 3pm*
All times are BST. Fixtures from July 3 are subject to change
Ben Knapton
