Aston Villa's season has got to go down as one of the most abysmal in Premier League history.
Having managed just 16 points through 34 games, their relegation was confirmed with a 1-0 loss at Old Trafford last weekend, and by all accounts the players were just happy enough that it was finally confirmed.
That was the view of captain Joleon Lescott anyway, and he took a lot of stick for his opinion, but another senior player at Villa who isn't exactly in the good books is Gabby Agbonlahor.
Agbonlahor was pictured smoking what was believed to be laughing gas on a night out after the relegation, and thus made front page news as there is nothing the British tabloid media love more than a footballer doing something they shouldn't be doing on a night out, and if that wasn't worse, Gabby has been put on a special fitness programme to help him lose weight... In April.
These incidents have prompted former Villa player Paul Merson to issue him a rather bleak warning, suggesting that he shouldn't go out in Birmingham for a while as the club's fans can be "dangerous" while speaking on The Fantasy Football Club podcast:
In this day and age you've got to have a bit of respect.
I'd be sitting down with him now and strongly advising him not to go out in Birmingham for a long time because it will be dangerous for him.
Villa fans pay a lot of money and they are very passionate. I think he would be in danger, if I'm being honest.
He is getting blamed left, right and centre, but it's not just Agbonlahor, it's the club as well. It's not just Agbonlahor who has sent them down for what he's been doing in the last couple of weeks; it's the club and all the decisions.
Considering the scenes after Villa drew 1-1 with Wycombe in the FA Cup earlier this season, he may have a point...
Just an ugly situation all around at Aston Villa. A total rebuilding is needed from next year, so whether or not Agbonlahor will stick around for that remains to be seen, but you can't help but feel he won't have a plethora of offers.
