Wouldn't put Sheffield Utd in that same group to be honest. They haven't started well and don't have the quality of players on paper that others have but expect them to give it a real go, and personally think they'll stay up. Certainly not saying Villa are certainties or even one of my 3 picks to go down but I certainly wouldn't say its impossible for Sheffield Utd to finish above Villa. West Ham have started the season more positively then I expected too. West Ham and Newcastle both have 7pts after 5 games and expect they will be 2 of the more likely sides to go down - them making up a 5pt gap on Villa over 33 games certainly doesn't strike me as impossible.
Having Martinez in goal certainly improves on Villa's goalkeeping options (although effectively he's being judged on half a season of performances at Arsenal), Barkley has started well but this is the same Barkley everyone thought was rubbish a few months ago. Grealish is good and they certainly are a better side on paper than last year but suddenly lose a couple of games, see Grealish get a big injury and I think the good vibe around Villa and the idea they are already out of a relegation battle isn't around anymore.
I personally think Fulham and West Brom will go down and about 8 other sides have varying chances of going down in that 3rd spot. Aston Villa's good start certainly helps their chances of staying up, but Watford had 13 points in 5 games either side of Christmas and still went down, Bournemouth were in the top 10 for 11 of the first 12 gameweeks and went down and from what I recall weren't really considered as being a likely relegation candidate until around Christmas. I think its too early to say any of the worst 9 or 10 sides in the division are definitely not going down, a congested season too also increases the chances of injuries to key players.
Having Martinez in goal certainly improves on Villa's goalkeeping options (although effectively he's being judged on half a season of performances at Arsenal), Barkley has started well but this is the same Barkley everyone thought was rubbish a few months ago. Grealish is good and they certainly are a better side on paper than last year but suddenly lose a couple of games, see Grealish get a big injury and I think the good vibe around Villa and the idea they are already out of a relegation battle isn't around anymore.
I personally think Fulham and West Brom will go down and about 8 other sides have varying chances of going down in that 3rd spot. Aston Villa's good start certainly helps their chances of staying up, but Watford had 13 points in 5 games either side of Christmas and still went down, Bournemouth were in the top 10 for 11 of the first 12 gameweeks and went down and from what I recall weren't really considered as being a likely relegation candidate until around Christmas. I think its too early to say any of the worst 9 or 10 sides in the division are definitely not going down, a congested season too also increases the chances of injuries to key players.
