Crisis-stricken Aston Villa are exploring if they have legal grounds to sack disgraced club captain Gabriel Agbonlahor after his latest suspension, according to the Mirror.
Ex-Villa trainee Agbonlahor has become a hate-figure at his local club this term following their struggles and relegation.
He has only scored once and is now suspended for a second time this term after being pictured with laughing gas canisters while partying in London the same night Villa were relegated.
Agbonlahor, 29, was already on the sidelines after being told he was not fit enough for selection by caretaker Eric Black.
He was then seen out after Villa were relegated from the Premier League after losing 1-0 to Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday in their ninth successive defeat.
Villa are also reeling from two key boardroom resignations after ex-FA chairman David Bernstein and Mervyn King, a former Governor of the Bank of England, both quit.
The pair advised Villa’s wantaway US owner Randy Lerner to pay-off toxic figures like Agbonlahor, who has two years left on his £60,000-a-week contract.
Lerner is reluctant to stump up more money to offload Villa’s flops but Agbonlahor’s latest indiscretions could give him an excuse to serve a P45 instead.
Agbonlahor was suspended earlier this month from first-team action after being spotted drinking and smoking in Dubai during the international break.
Meanwhile, Villa have confirmed MirrorSport’s revelation from February 8 that they will close the top tier of their Trinity Road Stand next season amid big cut-backs in the Championship.
Hundreds of Villa’s 460-strong staff are also sweating on their futures after the club requested voluntary redundancies.
Compulsory lay-offs are expected if Villa do not get enough volunteers.
COMMENTS