A three-season exile in the lower leagues was ended by two Aston Villa fans, captain Jack Grealish and manager Dean Smith. Former European champions’ status and size means they have plenty of potential.
The first objective, however, is simply to survive. A club who conceded more goals at home than the Championship’s bottom club Ipswich need to show solidity and if that statistic explains the recruitment of four defenders, Tyrone Mings was at least a revelation in his loan spell last season.
While Villa have been among the biggest spenders, Smith has not prioritised Premier League experience. Time will tell if that proves correct.
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Who finishes where in 2019-20?
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20. Sheffield United. Chris Wilder, pictured, has achieved a great deal in getting the Blades up, but staying in the top flight could be a task too far. PA Photo -
19. Brighton & Hove Albion. Graham Potter, pictured, faces a tough ask after taking over as manager from Chris Hughton. Getty -
18. Newcastle United. A tough set of opening home fixtures could be difficult for Steve Bruce, pictured, and his side to recover from. Getty -
17. Norwich City. They need to tighten up defensively but the goals of Teemu Pukki, pictured, can keep them up. Getty -
16. Aston Villa. Jack Grealish, pictured, will have a key role to play in Villa's survival hopes. Getty -
15. Burnley. Sean Dyche's, pictured, team to have a steadier time of things after last season's early struggles. Reuters -
14. Bournemouth. Eddie Howe's side to maintain their attacking ethos though they will help Lloyd Kelly, pictured, can help shore things up at the other end. Getty -
13. Crystal Palace. Once again will be dependent on the goals of Wilfried Zaha, pictured. Reuters -
12. Watford. Concerns over a leaky defence but the quality of Gerard Deulofeu, pictured, should leave them in mid-table. AP Photo -
11. Southampton. Stability should come the Saints way under manager Ralph Hasenhuttl, pictured. PA Photo -
10. Wolverhampton Wanderers. Balancing Europa League with domestic games may prove tough. Will look to more fine form from captain Conor Coady, pictured. Getty -
9. West Ham United. Should be another solid season with the hope Felipe Anderson, pictured, can kick on. Getty -
8. Everton. Bringing in Moise Kean, pictured, is a coup and should help Marco Silva's side continue to progress. Getty -
7. Leicester City. Signing Youri Tielemans, pictured, permanently will boost Leicester's hopes of a real push at the top six. Reuters -
6. Arsenal. Unai Emery will hope the record signing of Nicolas Pepe and the goals of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, pictured, can push them closer to the top four. EPA -
5. Chelsea. New manager Frank Lampard needs big things from Christian Pulisic, pictured, if they are to excel. Reuters -
4. Manchester United. Signings such as Aaron Wan-Bissaka, pictured, will tighten things up and should get United back in top four. Getty -
3. Tottenham Hotspur. Third place again for Spurs, though more is needed from Dele Alli, pictured. Getty -
2. Liverpool. Mohamed Salah, pictured, will be pivotal again but Jurgen Klopp's men to finish behind City again. AFP -
1. Manchester City. Hard to see beyond another title success for Pep Guardiola's, pictured, side. Getty
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Key player: Jack Grealish
Given the captaincy, the midfielder responded by skippering them to promotion. It was a sign of his importance that they only won 22 percent of the games he missed. It was an illustration of his ability to run with the ball that he was the most fouled player in the Championship.
Signing to watch: Wesley Moraes
At 18, the Brazilian was working in a factory. At 22, he has joined Villa for £22 million. The target man, who scored 14 goals for Club Brugge last season, is charged with replacing on-loan Tammy Abraham. He has not been as prolific for his former club.
Talking point: Will Villa’s spending spree be like Fulham’s?
The 2017/18 play-off winners made unwanted history as Fulham became the first team to spend £100 million (Dh455m) on transfers and get relegated in the same season. Twelve months later, Villa won at Wembley.
They have paid a similar amount on Matt Targett, Anwar El Ghazi, Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa, Kortney Hause, Jota and Moraes. Yet it does not feel scattergun spending when El Ghazi, Mings and Hause were on loan at Villa Park last season and Konsa and Jota have played for Smith at Brentford. The element of risk should be reduced but Villa need some successes if they are not to emulate Fulham’s fate.
