Aston Villa Relegation from Premier League in 2016
In 2016, Aston Villa faced a heartbreaking defeat against Manchester United, leading to their relegation from the Premier League. This marked a significant moment in the club’s history, as they dropped to the second tier of English football after 28 years of top-flight presence.
The Defining Moment
During the match, Marcus Rashford scored a crucial goal in the 32nd minute, sealing Villa’s fate and pushing them towards relegation. Despite Rudy Gestede’s late attempt that hit the post, Villa could not escape the inevitable outcome.
A Season of Struggles
The defeat against Manchester United was Villa’s ninth consecutive loss in what had been a disastrous season for the club. With only three wins and 17 points, they finished far behind other teams in the league standings.
- Villa’s 24th loss of the campaign
- Half the points of 19th-placed Norwich
- 22 points adrift of safety
The Downward Spiral
Once a powerhouse in English football, Villa’s decline in the 2015-16 season was evident. They had been struggling at the bottom of the table since November, unable to find their form and facing managerial changes.
The Managerial Transition
With manager Remi Garde’s departure the previous month, caretaker boss Eric Black led Villa in their final matches. Despite efforts to reverse their fortunes, the club’s fate was sealed, and fans directed their frustration towards the ownership.
The Legacy
Following their relegation, Villa spent the next three seasons in the Championship before making a triumphant return to the Premier League through the play-offs in 2019.
