Aston Villa’s relegation from the Barclays Premier League was confirmed today, ending the club’s 29 year stay in England’s top division.

Defeat at Old Trafford signals the end

Taking on Manchester United at Old Traford, the Villans knew that they needed to win to make it mathematically possible to still catch 17th placed Norwich City. They’d have been relegated earlier in the day, had Norwich not been beaten against Sunderland at home, with Alex Neil’s side losing 3-0.

However, Villa’s 1-0 defeat against the Red Devils leaves them as officially relegated. The result leaves Villa 15 points adrift of Norwich with four games each to play, meaning it’s mathematically impossible for them to stay up due to the Midlands club only having 12 points to play for.

Their status as one of the only teams to have remained in the Premier League since it’s creation in 1992 is now over, leaving Everton, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and today’s opponents United as the remaining survivors.

Relegation has been on the cards all season

Villa have been bottom of the league table ever since late October, and it’s there where the once European Cup winners are likely to finish.

They’ve been through two manager’s already, in Tim Sherwood and Remi Garde, both sacked after huge losing streaks. Sherwood only managed one win this season before his sacking, beating Bournemouth on the opening day, whilst Garde’s two victories have meant that Villa have won just three of their 34 league games so far.

The loss to Louis van Gaal’s side was Villa’s ninth in a row in the league, and they can only now play for pride as they plan for life in the Championship.

Tim Sherwood started the season as a manager, but was quickly gone (photo: Getty Images)
Tim Sherwood started the season as a manager, but was quickly gone (photo: Getty Images)

Four Premier League games left to endure

Unless a permanent manager is appointed before the end of the season, Eric Black will oversee the final four league games. Southampton and Watford are the opponents for the next two, before Villa Park waves goodbye to Premier League football against Newcastle United on May 7.

Their last game of the season is away to Arsenal on May 15, and it’s not yet known when they’ll next be competing in a Premier League fixture.

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