The new Premiership season is barely under way but one unlucky Villa fan has already been shown the red card by a fuming football widow.

This banner, which appeared above the A41 in West Bromwich today, spells out a clear message to a football fanatic from his less-than-happy wife.

The 3ft by 3ft banner is has the message ‘Jack, are the Villa really more important than our marriage? It’s over, Jess’ daubed over it in black paint.

The message was seen by thousands of motorists who travelled along the route during rush hour.

Paul Brennan, a passing Aston Villa fan, said: “I love the Villa, but I always try and keep the missus sweet as well.

“This is a cruel way to break the news to him though, I don’t know who they are or who has done what, but this is a certainly a harsh way today it.

“I hope it’s not still there on match day – because they’ll be thousands of people on the way to the game that will see it and most of them will be Albion fans around here so I’m sure they’ll get a great laugh from it.”

One van driver, a West Bromwich Albion fan, added: “You shouldn’t make a man pick between his woman and his football team.

“I don’t care who she is but he is better off without her – that’s for sure. Most people around here are Albion fans so I wonder if she’s a disgruntled Baggies supporter.” It’s not known who the pair in question are.