**Too Good to Go Down? Ranking Shock Premier League Relegations** The English Premier League, Nigeria's favorite football league, has witnessed its fair share of shocking relegations over the years. Two of the most notable cases are those of Aston Villa in the 2015-2016 season and Middlesbrough in the 1996-1997 season. **Aston Villa 2015-2016: From Wembley to the Championship** In the 2015-2016 season, Aston Villa, one of the most successful clubs in English football, found themselves in a relegation battle. Despite a remarkable run to the FA Cup final, where they were defeated by Arsenal, Villa's fortunes took a turn for the worse. After the departure of influential players like Christian Benteke and Fabian Delph, the team's performance declined, and they eventually dropped to the bottom of the league table. Tim Sherwood's sacking marked the beginning of a period of instability at the club, which ultimately led to their relegation. **Middlesbrough 1996-1997: A Season of Promises Unfulfilled** In the 1996-1997 season, Middlesbrough, under the guidance of Bryan Robson, had high hopes of achieving greatness. The team boasted a star-studded lineup featuring Fabrizio Ravanelli, who had just scored a hat-trick against Liverpool, and Brazilian trio Juninho, Emerson, and Branco. However, despite their impressive performances in the FA and League Cup finals, Middlesbrough's league form struggled, and they eventually finished two points short of survival. The final nail in the coffin was the decision to not play against Blackburn due to an illness and injury crisis, resulting in a three-point deduction from the FA, which ultimately sealed their fate. These two cases serve as a reminder that even the biggest clubs can fall victim to the Premier League's cutthroat nature.