Tuesday 23 February 2016 15:40, UK
A group of Aston Villa supporters are planning a walkout in the 74th minute of their next three home games in protest at how the club is being run.
The idea was conceived by Villa supporter Mark Bricknell who has chosen the 74th minute of the game because the club - one of the founder members of the Football League - was founded in 1874.
He told Sky Sports News HQ: "I think the support now is going to be down to the hardcore, those that go rain or shine. There are thousands that have turned their back on the club already.
"We don't want to ask supporters to stay away. That would be as alien to ask supporters to stay away as it would be not to attend a friend's wedding or funeral so we're not going to ask that.
"We're going to ask them to give up 16 minutes at the end of the game to show our disdain really at a lack of direction from the club and a lack of vision over the last six years and what appears to be a lack of vision going forward."
Bricknell says the idea was inspired by the recent actions of Liverpool supporters, who left Anfield in their droves in the 77th minute of their game at home to Sunderland in protest at ticket prices.
"I think it initially stemmed from the walkout Liverpool fans did and the positive impact that had on that club," he said.
"This is a culmination. It's not about recent results. It's not about the 6-0 defeat to Liverpool [in Villa's last game]. It's not a knee jerk reaction to that.
"This is the culmination of six years of decline and the club have been unable to halt what the fans have been able to see coming for a long time."
Villa are bottom of the Premier League and eight points adrift of safety ahead of this weekend's visit to Stoke.
