Eric Black: Aston Villa could implode after relegation
Saturday 16 April 2016 18:37, UK
Caretaker boss Eric Black has warned Aston Villa's flops he will take a hardline stance to avoid any post-relegation anarchy.
Villa will be relegated from the Premier League on Saturday if Norwich avoid defeat to Sunderland in the lunchtime kick-off, or if they fail to win at Manchester United.
Villa are bottom, 15 points from safety with just five games left, and set to drop of out of the top-flight for the first time since 1987.
Black has already ordered Gabby Agbonlahor to undergo a fitness bootcamp after deeming him unfit and he will not play for at least two weeks.
This could very easily implode. It could very easily turn into anarchy. Easily, it could easily happen.
Fans have protested against the running of the club and they have also targeted Brad Guzan, Leandro Bacuna and Joleon Lescott, but Black insisted he will ensure things to not collapse.
"This could very easily implode. It could very easily turn into anarchy. Easily, it could easily happen," he said.
"I'm going to try and ensure that is not the case. I can only put certain parameters down to ensure that doesn't happen. We'll see what happens thereafter. If they're all relegated and decide they don't want to play (perform) tomorrow, I've only got certain things I can do.
"I think in certain circumstances - and I'm not saying specifically just in football - whether it be in high-business in terms of leadership, the players are waiting to see what's going to happen here.
"They're all in limbo. They're probably going to be relegated. They are not great elements to motivate yourself every single day to do whatever.
"That's my responsibility and I take that fully and will do my utmost to ensure that it continues to be done on an extremely professional basis."
