Aston Villa scrap player of the season award as relegation looms

There will also be no fans' vote to decide which players deserve to receive awards.

The Premier League strugglers are 15 points adrift of safety at the bottom of the table with five games left and their drop into the Championship is likely to be confirmed this weekend.

Managerless Villa will be relegated on Saturday if Norwich pick up a positive result against Sunderland in the early kick off or if they lose at Manchester United later in the day.

The club had not considered an awards evening and an Aston Villa spokesman said: "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."

Villa have lost their last eight games and former boss Remi Garde left last month with Eric Black currently in caretaker charge.

They were beaten 2-1 at home by Bournemouth on Saturday to all but seal their fate and they have been bottom since November.

The club have been an ever-present in the Premier League since it began in 1992 and have not been relegated from the top flight since 1987.

Villa are searching for a new manager with David Moyes, Nigel Pearson and Garry Monk all in the frame.

In the past Villa fans have voted online for their goal of the season, player of the season and young player of the year.

This season, supporters have protested against the running of the club by walking out early during several matches.