Aston Villa join Brighton and West Ham in opposing Premier League neutral venue plan

Chief executive Purslow warns that clubs would not support measures if they increase risk of relegation

Liverpool's Sadio Mane celebrates scoring their second goal in the 2-1 win over Bournemouth, one of the last round of Premier League games at the beginning of March. To see the other matches that weekend, swipe the picture. Reuters

Leicester City beat Aston Villa 4-0 on March 9 in the last Premier League game to take place. Jamie Vardy celebrates after scoring the third goal. EPA

Arsenal's Alexandre Lacazette scored the only goal against West Ham. Reuters

Brighton's Lewis Dunk (left) battles for the ball against Wolves during the 0-0 draw at Molineux. PA

Pedro of Chelsea celebrates after scoring his team's second goal in the 4-0 win over Everton. Getty

Anthony Martial scored the first in Manchester United's 2-0 win over rivals Manchester City. EPA

Crystal Palace's Jordan Ayew scores the goal in the 1-0 win against Watford. Reuters.

Sheffield United's Billy Sharp strikes in the 1-0 win over Norwich. Reuters

Newcastle United's Allan Saint-Maximin celebrates scoring their goal in a 1-0 win a Southampton. Reuters

Tottenham's Dele Alli scores their goal from the penalty spot in the 1-1 draw at Burnley. Reuters

Aston Villa have joined Brighton and West Ham United in publicly opposing the idea of completing the Premier League season at neutral venues.

Villa chief executive Christian Purslow warned clubs would not support measures that increased the risk of the "£200 million (Dh910m) catastrophe" that is relegation.

The Premier League has been suspended since 13 March because of the coronavirus pandemic.

It is understood that  clubs have been told the only way to complete the season is for the remaining 92 matches to be played at neutral venues.

And League Managers Association chief executive Richard Bevan insisted on Wednesday that the season could be cancelled if the plan is not backed.

But Purslow has insisted that taking away home advantage would punish clubs such as Villa. "Personally I'm against it," he said on 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 advantage is a massive decision for somebody running Aston Villa and I certainly wouldn't agree to that unless those circumstances are right."

Villa, having played a game less than those around them, sit in the relegation zone as things stand, two points behind West Ham who are outside the bottom three on goal difference, with Brighton a further two points better off in 15th place.

Purslow said discussions around Project Restart are hugely complicated, likening them to the Brexit debate, because though there is consensus that football should resume as soon as it is safe to do so, there is no clear answer on how to do it.

And he said that while the day-to-day financial losses due to the shutdown were greater at the top end of the table, for those near the bottom the implications were far greater.

"At the bottom end of the table there's a much smaller revenue base, but the risk of relegation is probably a £200m catastrophe for any club that mathematically could still go down," he said.

"When you say to any club, 'We want you to agree to a bunch of rule changes that may make it more likely that you get relegated', they're not thinking about TV money, they're thinking, 'My goodness, am I going to agree to something that results in me being relegated and losing £200m?'"

A vote is due to take place on Monday on proposals for a return to football.

And the neutral stadium proposal needs 14 out of the 20 clubs to vote in favour for it to be adopted.

Beven was asked on BBC Radio 4's Today programme if he thought that voting against the measures could result in the season being cancelled.

"Yes, I think that probably is correct," he said. "The government, if they haven't already, will be making it clear that home matches with densely populated stadia, really puts into question whether social distancing rules can be adhered to."

Bevan, meanwhile, also said there was no suggestion players or managers were being coerced into a restart and that plans to ensure safety – including testing procedures – would be outlined to players and managers next week.

"Hopefully, there will be solutions that create this safe environment," he said. "In the meantime, we're staying very open-minded and as always the managers take their responsibility to the game very seriously on all these issues."