The Premier League returns on Wednesday after a break of exactly 100 days due to the coronavirus pandemic, with Aston Villa and Sheffield United sharing the honour of being the first teams back in action.

Villa, who were also involved in the last top-flight game before lockdown, head into their final 10 outings hoping to steer clear of the relegation zone, whereas Sheffield United have their sights set on earning European football.

Match preview

The contrasting fortunes of these two clubs in 2019-20 makes it easy to forget that they both came up from the Championship just last season.

Aston Villa splashed the cash in the summer but now find themselves 19th in the table and in real danger of an immediate return to the second tier, while Sheffield United have enjoyed a dream campaign and will be relieved that they have the chance to finish it off and resume their European charge.

These two teams, like every other club in the Premier League, will be forced to adapt to the new normal during the closing stages of the campaign, but Villa could potentially benefit most from the suspension of play.

Dean Smith's side had suffered five defeats in a row across all competitions prior to lockdown, including a 4-0 hammering by Leicester City in the Premier League's last game on March 9.

Villa will be hoping that the break has helped to stop that rot, and the positive for them is that survival is still in their own control - win this game in hand and they will climb up to 16th in the table.

The hosts will need to upset the odds to a certain extent if they are to win, though, with Sheffield United having enjoyed a remarkable season so far.

The Blades could also make good use of their game in hand, with victory enough to lift them up to fifth place - above Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal - and more importantly currently good enough for a Champions League spot next season.

It is a competitive battle for the final Champions League qualifying place but Chris Wilder's underdogs are very much in the mix and, if they are able to pick up where they left off, could be in pole position for a seat at the top table of European football.

Sheffield United were six games unbeaten across all competitions before lockdown, while in the Premier League they have only been beaten by Manchester City (twice) and Liverpool since December 5.

Indeed, trips to those top two are the only away games Sheffield United have lost in the league this season, and if Bundesliga statistics are anything to go by then away teams are set to enjoy even more success with matches being played behind closed doors.

That does not bode too well for Villa, who have picked up five of their seven wins and 17 of their 25 points on home turf this season, and have three of their first four games back at Villa Park too.

Smith's side have also scored in 23 of their last 24 home games across all competitions, although it is matters at the other end of the field which highlight the biggest disparity between these two sides this season.

Villa have actually scored four more goals than Sheffield United in 2019-20, but they also have the league's worst defensive record whereas Sheffield United have the second-best behind only Liverpool - a difference which equates to a 12-place and 18-point gap between the two clubs.

Wednesday's hosts have also struggled against top-seven teams this season, losing eight of their nine such games and taking only one point from the 27 on offer, including a 2-0 defeat at Bramall Lane in the reverse fixture.

Aston Villa Premier League form: DWLLLL
Aston Villa form (all competitions): WLLLLL

Sheffield United Premier League form: DLWWDW
Sheffield United form (all competitions): WWWDWW

Team News

One of the major benefits to arise from the three-month break in play is a chance for players to return to injury, and Aston Villa are able to welcome John McGinn back for this match.

The Scottish midfielder had been one of Villa's most important players alongside Jack Grealish before suffering a fractured ankle in December, and he now has the chance to feature during the closing stages of the season.

Other long-term absentees such as Tom Heaton and Wesley remain sidelined, though, and neither are expected to return before the end of the extended season.

Sheffield United have avoided many major injuries this term and Wilder again has a clean bill of health for this match.

The Blades will have been boosted by the news that goalkeeper Dean Henderson, who is in the running to win the Golden Gloves, will be allowed to extend his loan from fellow Champions League hopefuls Manchester United until the end of the campaign.

Aston Villa possible starting lineup:
Reina; Guilbert, Engels, Mings, Targett; McGinn, Hourihane, Douglas Luiz; Al Ghazi, Samatta, Grealish

Sheffield United possible starting lineup:
Henderson; Basham, Egan, O'Connell; Baldock, Lundstram, Norwood, Fleck, Stevens; Mousset, McBurnie

We say: Aston Villa 1-2 Sheffield United

There will be a question mark hanging over most predictions in the opening stages of the Premier League's return given the number of new factors and unique circumstances surrounding the situation.

However, all the statistics point towards away teams getting more joy and, when that is combined with Sheffield United's away record and Aston Villa's record against top-seven teams this season, we are backing the Blades to pick up where they left off.