Aston Villa were a surprise for many when they were promoted to the Premier League via the Playoffs last season - beating Derby County 2-1 in the final.

Dean Smith had a task on his hands in ensuring that the Villans would stay up this season, with Jack Grealish gunning to play Premier League football again given that the club had never been relegated prior to the 2015/16 season which saw them finish bottom of the league.

Fast forward three years and the club have found themselves back in the top flight - and fought hard to earn their spot in the Premier League for another season.

This campaign has seen plenty of ups and downs for Smith and his side, so let's take a look at all those things that made their season in the Aston Villa 2019/20 review...

Player of the Season - Jack Grealish

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Since making his debut back in 2014, Grealish has gone on to become the club's captain and the face of Aston Villa. He finished this season as the club's top goalscorer, registered the most assists, and played the most minutes compared to any other Villa players.

His goal against West Ham on the final day of the season secured his boyhood club's safety in heroic fashion - finishing in 17th just one point above the drop.

Goal of the Season - Jack Grealish v Manchester Utd, Dec 1st '19

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Here he is again - the Aston Villa man has been sensational for the club this season, and his effort in the clubs 2-2 draw with United back at the beginning of December was a peach.

Having picked the ball up on the left-hand side on the edge of the United box, Grealish shifted the ball to his right and wrapped his foot around it, whipping it into the top right corner with De Gea stood flat-footed and wondering how the ball has crept into his net.

It highlighted once again the capabilities that this man has - and earns him Aston Villa's goal of the season.

Breakthrough Player - Ezri Konsa

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Aston Villa signed the 22-year-old from Brentford during the 2019 summer transfer window for just shy of £12 million - and he has settled in perfectly.

Having made 26 appearances for the Villans in the league this season, the English defender averaged 2.6 clearances per game, as well as a 78% pass success rate.

It has been a good debut season for Konsa, who even scored the winner against Watford back in January for his first goal for the club. It will be exciting to see his progress at the club, and may even be a regular starter alongside Tyrone Mings next season.

Flop of the Season - Danny Drinkwater

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It seemed a smart move by both Aston Villa and Danny Drinkwater during the winter transfer window. The 30-year-old had only played one game whilst on loan to Burnley this season, and his career at Chelsea never really took off since his move there in 2017.

Despite this, there was still hope for him to find his form, and reach the levels he once achieved during his time at Leicester - sadly it didn't quite play out that way.

The midfielder only made four league appearances and failed to make an impression to manager Dean Smith in any of them. His time at the club will likely be easily forgotten, and the Villa fans won't be heartbroken about his departure either.

Defining Moment - 1-0 win vs Arsenal, Jul 21st '20

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An incredible win that helped the club secure their place in the Premier League for next season.

The Villans went into the game sat in 19th and looked sure to go down after drawing 1-1 with Everton - but an incredible effort from new boy Trezeguet in the 27th minute helped Aston Villa to a victory over an Arsenal side that had just beaten champions Liverpool in the league and Manchester City in the FA Cup - and the three points took the Villans to 17th in the table, where they would eventually finish the season.

Signing of the Season - Matt Targett

Soccer Football - Carabao Cup Final - Aston Villa v Manchester City - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - March 1, 2020  Aston Villa's Matt Targett looks dejected as he applauds the fans after the match   Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith  EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.  Please con

This may seem like a surprise to some Villa fans - but I am sure to many that it would make sense.

The 23-year-old signed from Southampton for just under £14 million during the 2019 summer transfer window and has become the club's first-choice left-back.

The Englishman was the club's fourth-best performer according to WhoScored. Targett has played 28 league games this campaign, averaging just under 2 tackles per game as well as 2 interceptions and 2.4 clearances - solid defensive numbers from his debut season with the club.

Hit Expectations? - YES

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It may not have been achieved in the way the club expected, but Dean Smith and his team achieved safety in the league for another season and avoided the drop in dramatic fashion on the final day.

Their aim from the offset would have been to stay up, so in that sense, they hit their expectations - but I am sure that the club and fans would have liked it to be done sooner and easier compared to how it actually played out.

All in all, a positive season for the Villans who will be looking toward another year in the Premier League.