2) The demise of Aston Villa
Having been involved in the relegation dogfight each time in the past five years, Aston Villa's drop was quite inevitable this season. It had been coming for some time now after they had only narrowly avoided the embarrassment last season.
But it was not long ago that they were competing for honours. They were very much in the title race in January 2009 and they finished 6th on three consecutive occasions under Martin O'Neill.
They have the fifth highest total of major honours won by an English Club, having won the First Division seven times. The Birmingham-based side had even finished runners-up in the inaugural Premier League season (1992-93).
However, a fine goal by the Red Devils put the Villans to the sword and opened their door to the Championship. Villa were caught napping by a quick diagonal pass by the returning Wayne Rooney and Antonio Valencia marked his first start in over 5 months with an assist as Rashford found the back of the net.
Notably, this was the first time that Rooney and Rashford were playing together.
