Consecutive Seasons in the English Top Flight
As we celebrate Aston Villa’s 140th anniversary this season, here’s another reason to be proud to be a Villan…
Villa Top Six
When it comes to consecutive seasons in the top-flight, Villa are very much a top six club, even pipping both Chelsea and Manchester City in the table that indicates how long teams have been in England’s top division.
Yes, the club have been pushing their luck in the past four seasons, but since Graham Taylor made sure Villa bounced straight back after Billy McNeil relegated the club in 1986-87, Villa have been ever-present in the top division.
If Villa carry on occupying the lower regions of the league, then the writing could be on the wall for them too.
Premier League Trends
The most interesting observation is how relatively new the lower half of the table below are in the top flight.
Outside the top 10 the longest stay in the top flight is five seasons by Newcastle and West Brom.
Considering the Baggies have a reputation of being a yo-yo club, it shows you how flimsy life is recently for teams that constantly occupy the lower half of the Premier League.
If Villa carry on occupying the lower regions of the league, then the writing could be on the wall for them too.
Records
Currently on their 27th season in the top flight, Villa still have a way to go to beat their best run in the top flight of 44 seasons between 1888-89 and 1935-36.
That mark is equal with Blackburn Rovers as the fifth longest stretch of any club.
Sunderland are the third best with a 57 season stretch between 1890-91 and 1957-58 and the best two are still currently being run, as you’ll see from the two top teams in the table below.
Consecutive Seasons in English Top-Flight Table
| 1 | ARSENAL* | 1919-20 | 89 |
| 2 | EVERTON | 1954-55 | 61 |
| 3 | LIVERPOOL | 1962-63 | 53 |
| 4 | MANCHESTER UNITED | 1975-76 | 40 |
| 5 | TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR | 1978-79 | 37 |
| 6 | ASTON VILLA | 1988-89 | 27 |
| 7 | CHELSEA | 1989-90 | 26 |
| 8 | MANCHESTER CITY | 2002-03 | 13 |
| 9 | SUNDERLAND | 2007-08 | 8 |
| 10 | STOKE CITY | 2008-09 | 7 |
| 11 | NEWCASTLE UNITED | 2010-11 | 5 |
| 12 | WEST BROMWICH ALBION | 2010-11 | 5 |
| 13 | SWANSEA CITY | 2011-12 | 4 |
| 14 | SOUTHAMPTON | 2012-13 | 3 |
| 15 | WEST HAM UNITED | 2012-13 | 3 |
| 16 | CRYSTAL PALACE | 2013-14 | 2 |
| 17 | HULL CITY | 2013-14 | 2 |
| 18 | BURNLEY | 2014-15 | 1 |
| 19 | LEICESTER CITY | 2014-15 | 1 |
| 20 | QUEENS PARK RANGERS | 2014-15 | 1 |
*Arsenal were “elected” to the Top Flight in season 1919-20 and remain the only club since the formation of the Football League in 1888-89 who never earnt their place on merit.
