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Aston Villa relegated: Supporters planning further protests at crisis club

The fans-led Aston Villa Protest Group today promised action of further protests against the club's hierarchy during Saturday's home game against Southampton.

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Villa, relegated from the top-flight for the first time since 1987 by last weekend's 1-0 defeat at Manchester United, were plunged into fresh crisis yesterday.

Directors David Bernstein and Mervyn King quit with immediate effect yesterday and their letters to chairman Steve Hollis took a swipe at owner Randy Lerner for blocking moves to restructure the club.

Football board member Brian Little will continue to advise Hollis on football-related matters. The chairman has been conducting an internal review of the running of the club since he was appointed in January.

Chief executive Tom Fox and sporting director Hendrik Almstadt left last month as part of the ongoing process.

Bernstein and King were also key figures in the search for a new manager after Remi Garde departed in March.

Bernstein headed up the club's football board and was expected to help lead the appointment of a new boss ahead of next season's campaign in the Championship.

A lengthy statement from the AVPG read: "A once proud institution obliterated. Randy Lerner is a one-man wrecking machine and he has sought to obliterate this once proud institution.

"We are going down without even a whimper, we are a rotting from the top down and the fans are suffering desperately.

"Lerner is responsible for the failings at board level, responsible for failed manager after failed manager, endless broken promises and a maniacal flip flopping of strategy.

"He's ultimately responsible for the turgid rubbish that our so called "football team" throws up on the pitch week on week.

"Yesterday, we were presented with yet more devastating news. The new board structure gave some fans hope, at last, that the ship may be slowly turning.

"To see this disintegrate in a matter of weeks has shattered that brief glimmer of hope.

"The resignation letters from David Bernstein and Sir Mervyn King suggest that this is due to interference from Mr Lerner and if this is the case, after the promises to stand back, we are utterly exasperated.

"The fans deserve answers. Not through Steven Hollis who with all due respect is a puppet with his hands tied, but directly from the owner.

"This lack of communication is unacceptable and we will not stop until supporters are satisfied that Randy Lerner is showing this club, and by extension it's supporters, the due care and attention both it and we deserve.

"This Saturday, at the home game against Southampton, we are continuing 'Banners Out on 74.' We are imploring all supporters to stand firm with us.

"Now more than ever it is vital that we are persistent in asking the right questions of our risible owner.

"After taking a poll of Aston Villa supporters via various social media our banners will once again display the words 'Proud History - What Future?'

"Unless there is a radical and unexpected change at ownership level within the coming days, continued action will be taken at the final home game against Newcastle.

"We as supporters of Aston Villa Football Club MUST stand 'Prepared.' It falls solely upon all of us to ensure this club does not fall even deeper into disrepair.

"That our future is a bright one as opposed to the darkness that currently envelopes us. See you there. Up the Villa! Aston Villa Protest Group."

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