Aston Villa join Premier League strugglers fighting neutral venue plan

Aston Villa became latest Premier League club threatened by relegation to reject proposals to restart season behind closed doors at neutral venues on Wednesday. Villa's chief executive Christian Purslow said plan would increase risk of an ecomic "catastrophe" for his club should y fall out of lucrative English top-flight. Brighton chief executive Paul Barber also admitted to "self-interest" in objecting to proposals, while West Ham vice-chairman Karen Brady has claimed " one wants" to play at neutral sites.

Premier League chiefs believe y will only be given green light from government to resume at a limited number of venues as it would reduce strain on essential services and discour garings of supporters near stadiums. But clubs at risk of relegation argue that integrity of competition would be compromised by neutral-venue plan. One controversial idea being floated by those at risk at bottom of table is to scrap relegation for this season even if matches can restart.

Villa are second bottom, two points from safety, but with a game in hand on fourth-bottom Watford.

"At bottom end of table re's a much smaller revenue base, but risk of relegation is probably a 200 million Pound (USD 247 million) catastrophe for any club that mamatically could still go down," Purslow told TalkSport.

"We're a club that prides itself on home form. Two-thirds of our wins this season have come at home.

"We've got six home games left to play and I think any Villa fan would agree that giving up that advant is a massive decision for somebody running Aston Villa and I certainly wouldn't agree to that unless those circumstances are right."

Villa could still be relegated even if more matches took place should Premier League choose to use points-per-game model used by France's Ligue 1. Lyon have threatened legal action after missing out on a European place and Premier League is keen to avoid a similar fallout, with financial stakes even higher in England.

Legal risk

Premier League is desperate t to lose out on an estimated 762 Pound million (USD 941 million) of television revenue and broadcasters are t believed to be keen on removing jeopardy of relegation from remaining matches. English Football League chairman Rick Parry warned on Tuesday that "lawyers are going to get wealthy" if Premier League tried to block promotion from Championship. Premier League clubs are set to meet again on Monday in hope of agreeing a consensus on protocols for a return to training and eventually matches.

That meeting will take place a day after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is due to set out his plans to ease a nationwide lockdown. German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday gave Bundesliga go-ahead to resume from mid-May behind closed doors. However, re remains unease at prospect of players being rushed back into contact sport while rest of country is being encourd to continue social-distancing measures.

A number of Premier League club doctors have reportedly raised a range of concerns, including over ir liability and insurance if players catch virus.

"I'd respect m more if y said 'We accept increase in health risk but it's one we are willing to take'," said former Manchester United captain Gary Neville on Premier League's stance.

"y won't as y are frightened to death." 

Im credits: Twitter