Premier League laughing stock Aston Villa’s season reached another low point yesterday when directors David Bernstein and Mervyn King quit, weeks into their tenure.

Villa’s relegation was officially confirmed on Saturday following their 1-0 defeat to Manchester United but in truth it had been on the cards for months.

And the news of Bernstein, who said his position had become untenable, and King walking out a month after arriving at Villa Park once again raises questions of how owner Randy Lerner has allowed the club to plummet into the Championship.