The Aston Villa Protest Group has announced its plans to make Saturday’s match with Newcastle the last in which they make public their frustrations with the club.

AVPG has been vocal with their protestations against the club’s direction under Randy Lerner, with their ‘Proud History, What Future’ banners being littered around Villa Park on matchdays.

However, with the club’s relegation to the Championship long since confirmed, the group has made the following statement:

‘On the pitch Aston Villa are done. Broken, defeated. In the board room we are continually shambolic and we are owned by a man for whom failure is a byword. We’re almost sick of saying it.

‘However this dark day presents us as supporters with a prime opportunity to bust through the foreboding cloud once more and show the Premier League what they will be missing, as this proud institution begins her short break from the top table.

‘Join us for The Proud History, What Future March, from The Holte Pub (Trinity Road) at 2.15pm. Let’s create the scene that we want our season to be remembered by. One of unity, of passion, of strength. Of a lion roaring its lungs dry.

‘Then in the ground itself, let’s have a party. For the ages. We are bringing 2,500 balloons which will be available from 1.40pm at the usual spots along with 74 beach balls which we hope you will join us in releasing on the 74th minute. Let’s provide Randy Lerner with the romantic nourishment he so dearly craves.

‘As for AVPG, we hope that this is our last protest. We hope that the club is moved on in the summer and that it will be an easy decision for us to let bygones be bygones and concentrate solely on supporting the team on the pitch next season. Meanwhile, do not expect that we will be gone, like a poof of smoke in the wind…

‘…We will be waiting, watching. Dormant but never too far away to strike…

‘This round of protests has in effect been a warning shot across the bow of the SS Randy Lerner. Should he fail in his remit to be a true custodian of this wonderful football club which fills our hearts we will return with renewed vigour. We will leave no stone unturned in our quest for a brighter future.

‘Together we are legion. Together we roar.

‘We are Prepared.

‘Aston Villa Protest Group.’