5 Premier League Teams Dramatically Better Since The Restart (And 5 Much Worse)

Second from bottom when the league was postponed, Aston Villa had shipped an enormous 56 goals before the break; more than bottom club Norwich or Southampton, despite the latter experiencing a 9-0 drubbing earlier in the season.

In ten games since the restart, however, Villans keepers Orjan Nyland and Pepe Reina conceded just eleven times (twelve if you count the controversial goal disallowed for Sheffield United despite it clearly crossing the line in Nyland's hands). That's a better post-lockdown defensive record than Liverpool, Chelsea or Arsenal.

Cutting their goals conceded per game in half helped Villa claw their way back up the table and out of the relegation zone in their final games. Losing just four times since the restart, compared to six apiece for relegated Watford and Bournemouth, was enough for the West Midlands club to secure their safety for another year.

The high point came with a final week win over an in-form Arsenal team fresh off the back of the Gunners booking their place in the FA Cup Final.

A superb individual performance from Jack Grealish made the difference that day. But, with the Villa captain certain to leave in the summer, it may yet prove hard to maintain this momentum into the new season.