Premier League rethinking neutral grounds plan
The Premier League is expected to ask the government to reconsider its stance on neutral grounds while the FA has blocked the idea of no relegation.
Top-flight chiefs are still aiming to resume the season – with the government saying top-level sport could resume behind-closed-doors from June 1 – but if the season cannot be completed, Villa could be relegated if the Premier League takes a points-per-game average from the season so far.
That would prove hugely controversial with Villa having played a game fewer than their relegation rivals due to their run to the final of the Carabao Cup and could prompt legal action.
The hope, though, is to play the remaining fixtures – and Wolves and Villa could be back playing at Molineux and Villa Park respectively, albeit without any supporters in the ground.
The Premier League's 'Project Restart' proposals have centred around broadcasting matches at neutral venues, but growing unrest around the plan is understood to be behind the league seeking approval for matches to be played home and away.
Villa are among those to have spoken out against the idea of playing at neutral venues, as have relegation rivals Brighton and Watford, although Britain's senior football police officer, Mark Roberts, insists it is necessary.
Those towards the bottom of the table are thought to want games to be played home and away in the interest of fairness, while others could be against it for sponsorship reasons.
Any shift, however, would likely require all 20 grounds to be passed fit by the relative local authority.
For now, the government has announced elite sport could resume from June 1 as part of step two of the roadmap of easing lockdown restrictions which includes ''permitting cultural and sporting events to take place behind closed doors for broadcast, while avoiding risk of large-scale social contact'.
