Aston Villa cancel Player of the Year award as relegation looms

The club's drop into the second-tier of English football could be confirmed this weekend

Villa are expected to suffer their first relegation in 29 years this weekend (Getty)

Aston Villa have cancelled their Player of the Year award as the club teeters on the brink of relegation.

The West Midlands club’s drop into the second-tier of English football could be confirmed this weekend if Norwich City avoid defeat at home to fellow strugglers Sunderland.

Officials at Villa Park have decided that, for the second successive year, there will be no end-of-year ceremony, with the thought of a celebratory evening not even being considered.

There will also be no vote held on the club’s online and media channels.

"The club will not be holding its annual Player of the Year Awards at the conclusion of this season. In the current circumstances, we are sure our supporters will understand,” an Villa spokesman confirmed.

Supporters have openly voiced their discontent at the state of their club in recent weeks, with mass walk-outs held and ins-stadium protests directed at owner Randy Lerner during home games.

The Villans have won just three league fixtures this season and have lost their last eight Premier League games, with manager Remi Garde leaving the club by mutual consent last month.

Villa’s board is believed to be meeting on Wednesday to discuss the Frenchman’s replacement, with David Moyes, Nigel Pearson and Steve Bruce believed to be among the frontrunners for the role.

On Monday, the club announced new plans to achieve “a sound financial platform” which are likely to see compulsory redundancies handed out to the club’s staff.