This article is part of Football FanCast's Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba's haircuts to League Two relegation battles...

Aston Villa have had a very tough seven-game run in the Premier League in recent times.

During that spell, they faced Manchester City, Liverpool, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Newcastle United, Manchester United, Chelsea and Leicester City.

Considering that run, it isn't too surprising that Dean Smith's side only managed to take four points, though it can be seen as a worrying sign that they are above the relegation zone on goal difference.

However, they now face a very different challenge to the one they had faced in their upcoming games.

Upon their arrival in the Premier League, teams such as Sheffield United, Southampton, Norwich City, Watford and Burnley would be those that Villa would be expecting to take points from.

These are also the teams that the club will face in their next five league matches, meaning that this could be the run of games that dramatically lifts or downs the mood at Villa Park.

Fixtures against the Saints, Norwich and Watford can all be seen as six-pointers with Villa's position in the table incredibly dependant on results against teams of this ilk.

This indicates there will now be a higher level of pressure on the team to perform and ensure they get the results needed to edge away from the drop zone.

Failure to pick up regular points in their next five outings could put them in serious bother so it's not too far fetched to say that this is a potentially season-defining period at Villa Park.

Considering the recent 4-1 loss against the Foxes, it is vital that there is a good performance against the Blades on Saturday to lift the mood against the three teams that currently occupy the relegation zone.

Red Herring or Real Hero: Only hardcore Villa fans will get all of them right....

This is a massive opportunity for Villa to begin getting some more points on the table, it is a chance that they simply must take.

In other news, one Villa man could be set to lose his place in the team during this run.