Wyness shared a story from last May about Lambert's axing as Molineux head coach – which was widely reported to be down to the former Villa manager's concerns over the influence exerted by super-agent Mendes on Wolves' transfer policy.

The timing of the tweet hardly appears accidental – just two days ahead of the crunch clash between the two sides at Villa Park on Saturday and hours before EFL chiefs stage a board meeting at which some clubs' concerns about the Mendes influence on Wolves are expected to be addressed.

It is believed Villa – along with Derby and Leeds – are the clubs most aggrieved at what they claim is an unfair advantage given to Wolves, due to the link between Mendes's Gestifute agency and Wolves' owners Fosun International.

Last night Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani questioned the legality of the Wolves-Mendes links in a series of tweets at the end of the Elland Road's 3-0 drubbing by league leaders Wolves.

He said:"We have our own problems but we should play in a fair competition."

Radrizzani continued: "Not legal and fair [to] let one team owned by a fund whom has shares in the biggest players' agency with evident benefits (top European clubs giving players with options to buy... why the other 23 teams can't have the same treatment?)

We have our own problems but we should play in a fair competition. Not legal and fair let one team owned by a fund whom has shares in the biggest players agency with evident benefits (top European clubs giving players with options to buy ..why the other 23 teams can’t have same — Andrea Radrizzani (@andrearadri) March 7, 2018

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"We should play all 24 with the same rules and opportunities (it's enough to Google it).

"Congratulations to the best team but hope the league can be fair and equal to all 24 teams."

The EFL says it is aware of concerns that have been raised and will deal with them appropriately.