Beleaguered Aston Villa scraps end-of-season awards

Aston Villa could be relegated as soon as Saturday. (Jon Super/AP)

BIRMINGHAM, England — On the verge of relegation after a miserable year in the English Premier League, Aston Villa says it will not be holding its annual player of the season awards.

Villa says "in the current circumstances, we are sure supporters will understand."

There will be no online vote, either.

Villa will be relegated on Saturday if Norwich earns a point against Sunderland in the early kickoff or if Villa loses at Manchester United later in the day.

Villa, an ever-present in the Premier League since its inaugural season in 1992, has lost its last eight games and is 15 points from safety with five games left. The team is without a permanent manager after Remi Garde departed last month.

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