It’s been a horrible return to Premier League life for Aston Villa, with many believing they will make an instant return to the Championship.

But they got their huge break just nine days ago. They ended their 11 game wait for a win in the Premier League with a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace – a much deserved and much needed three points.

Then on Thursday evening, they travelled to Goodison Park to face an Everton side, who in recent weeks have been out of sorts and looking like their bags are packed ready for a lockdown stay-cation in Cheshire.

With that in mind, Aston Villa went into this game as favourites, knowing a win would have put them just a point behind West Ham and Watford.

And Villa took the lead 18 minutes from time through defender Ezri Konsa. In truth, they should have had a second, and put the game to bed, when Jack Grealish’s cross was blasted over by Anwar El-Ghazi from just two yards.

That miss would come back to haunt Dean Smith’s men, in the 87th minute Theo Walcott’s glancing header sneaked over the line and grabbed a point for the Toffees. Walcott is not known for his heading ability, but his header was definitely known to have devastated Villa fans across the country.

It doesn’t help that Aston Villa’s final home game of the season is against Walcott’s former side, Arsenal. Villa Park has been a happy hunting ground for the North London side, their last defeat there came back in December 1998.

On top of that, the Gunners come into this one following victories over League Champions Liverpool, and FA Cup holders Manchester City at Wembley on Saturday night.

It was an impressive display from Mikel Arteta’s men. They knew they weren’t going to have much possession, but that was okay, because when City did have the ball, Arsenal were tight, got stuck in, and didn’t open up gaps that City could expose. That could be highlighted by the fact City had only managed one shot on target all game.

Arsenal didn’t have much possession, but when they did, there were moments of pure excellence. In particular, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s opener on 19 minutes. There were an impressive 18 passes in the build-up, which came from playing out from the back, something the Gunners have not been good at this season and something Manchester City’s pressing attackers would usually retrieve and capitalise on.

There was also a lot of exploitation in that semi-final win too. When space was left open, Arsenal took advantage of it, specifically when Kieran Tierney put Aubameyang clean through on goal to clinch his second and the cup tie.

Considering how clinical Arsenal were going forward, and considering that Villa have got the second-worst defensive record in the league (66 goals conceded), it doesn’t look good reading for the home side.

But though they may look dead and buried, they are still very much alive.

You only have to look at the events of last weekend to justify this. On Sunday Bournemouth were beaten by South Coast rivals Southampton, a result that actually moved Aston Villa up the division to 18th.

Prior to that, West Ham rallied to a 3-1 win over Watford on Friday, the most important result of the lot. That left the Hornets just three points above Villa, with a very similar goal difference.

Watford – who sacked their manager Nigel Pearson on Sunday – also have a torrid end to the season. Their final two games are against Saturday’s FA Cup semi-finalists.

They face Manchester City this evening – who embarrassed the Hertfordshire side 8-0 back in September, and then tonight’s visitors Arsenal on the final day. Alternatively, Villa travel to West Ham, who are virtually safe following their 3-1 win on Friday night. It could be said that the London sides thave the biggest say on who stays afloat and who sinks.

With that in mind, tonight is extremely important. Smith’s men know, win or draw, there’s an extremely good chance of going into the last game with real belief and optimism of pulling off a great escape. Potentially (depending on Watford’s scoreline) with their fate in their own hands

But make no mistake, it’s definitely not an easy one for Aston Villa tonight. The hosts cannot afford any lapse in concentration, and cannot leave anything open for Arsenal to utilize and take advantage of. Do that, and it’s surely lights out on their season.

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