September 20, 2024

Roy Keane criticises Aston Villa’s ‘over the top’ celebrations after surviving relegation

Roy Keane #RoyKeane

  • Aston Villa secured Premier League survival with a 1-1 draw away at West Ham 
  • The result meant Watford and Bournemouth were relegated to the second tier 
  • Villa players were captured celebrating wildly in their changing room
  • Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane was unimpressed with the ‘over the top’ festivities 
  • Roy Keane slammed Aston Villa’s players for their ‘over the top’ celebrations as they avoided relegation from the Premier League on Sunday.

    The Midlands club’s 1-1 draw away at West Ham, coupled with Watford’s defeat away at Arsenal, meant Dean Smith’s side finished outside the bottom three and were not relegated to the second tier.

    Keane praised Villa for staying in the top-flight despite wholesale changes to the playing squad but the former Manchester United captain was unimpressed with the wild celebrations seen in Villa’s changing room.

    Aston Villa players were seen celebrating in their changing room after avoiding relegation

    Aston Villa players were seen celebrating in their changing room after avoiding relegation

    Sky Sports' Roy Keane was disappointed at the celebrations, describing them as 'over the top'

    Sky Sports’ Roy Keane was disappointed at the celebrations, describing them as ‘over the top’

    The Sky Sports pundit said: ‘That’s why they never win anything.

    ‘Listen I’m delighted for Dean Smith, he made a good point – there were big changes at the club last summer. 

    ‘It was going to take time, they’ve stayed up [and it’s] a big achievement. 

    ‘The celebrations are slightly over the top, but good luck to them.’ 

    Villa players also celebrated on the West Ham picth after securing Premier League survival

    Villa players also celebrated on the West Ham picth after securing Premier League survival

    Dean Smith’s side were promoted to the Premier League last summer after beating Frank Lampard’s Derby County in the Championship play-off final but suffered from a serious lack of players following their promotion.

    Villa had only 12 first-team players on their roster after several loan deals for key players, such as Tammy Abraham and Axel Tuanzebe, came to end while others were released due to a lack of playing time.

    Jack Grealish (right)'s goal was enough to keep the Birmingham side in the Premier League

    Jack Grealish (right)’s goal was enough to keep the Birmingham side in the Premier League

    Aston Villa manager Dean Smith (pictured right) kept his boyhood club up against all the odds

    Aston Villa manager Dean Smith (pictured right) kept his boyhood club up against all the odds

    As a result, Smith had to sign around a dozen players last summer to fill up the squad, with Villa’s total spending for the season surpassing the £130million mark.

    The Birmingham club’s survival comes at the expense of Watford and Bournemouth who were relegated to the Championship on the final day due to Villa’s point at West Ham. 

    The two clubs join Norwich City, who were relegated two weeks ago, in England’s second tier. 

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