After Aston Villa just about stayed afloat in their first season back in the Premier League, many fans didn't give them much hope of surviving next time round.
Villa, on the final day of the 2019-20 season, beat the drop by one point after a 1-1 draw at West Ham - with club hero Jack Grealish scoring the goal that ultimately kept their top-flight status intact.
Despite their survival, the signs weren't great for Villa and Dean Smith had come under scrutiny following some lacklustre and below-par performances in the Premier League as they were served a reality check coming up against England's elite.
Aston Villa surprised many last season, finishing 11th after a rapid start to the campaign
Dean Smith is now desperate for his side to kick on and Villa have been active in the market
But as always, the summer transfer window gives clubs the opportunity to alleviate any negativity and Villa epitomised that - signing goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez from Arsenal, as well as Ollie Watkins and Matty Cash, and Ross Barkley on a season-long loan.
Villa carried the positivity from the transfer window into the new season, winning their first four games in the Premier League, including a stunning 7-2 victory over reigning champions Liverpool at Villa Park.
Their new signings - including Martinez, Watkins and Barkley - were soaring while Grealish emerged as one of the stand-out players in the Premier League, and they were riding a huge wave of momentum. All of a sudden, relegation critics had been silenced and they were looking up.
At one stage, they were even viewed as contenders for a European spot but a shin injury to captain and star man Grealish put an end to that.
However, despite a tough run of results towards the end of the campaign with Grealish out of action, they still managed to finish 11th with 55 points, a whole 20 more than in the 2019-20 campaign as they secured some impressive victories, including against Liverpool and Tottenham while completing the double over Arsenal.
Villa, one of England's most historic clubs, showed they meant business. And they have not stopped there.
Midfielder Emiliano Buendia was signed from Norwich for a club record fee of £40million
Villa again have gone on the attack in the transfer window, with owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens hugely backing Smith to restore the good times in the West Midlands.
Villa had started off their summer business in style, bringing in Emiliano Buendia from Norwich on a five-year contract for a club record transfer fee of £40million.
Sportsmail reported at the time that Villa had even outmuscled Arsenal in the battle to secure Buendia's signature after agreeing to pay £33m plus add-ons up to £40m, and a sell-on percentage.
It looks like a huge signing for Villa, with Buendia having been named Norwich's Player of the Season as they won the Championship - scoring 15 goals and registering 16 assists.
Buendia lining up alongside Grealish next season is a hugely exciting prospect for the club's fans, and you can certainly expect some very lively games at Villa Park.
Villa have added vital experience too by bringing in Ashley Young on a free transfer
Just a week later, Villa announced that Ashley Young had returned on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract
