ASTON VILLA women stars have reportedly joined the men’s team in blasting their new wet-look kits.
Members of the men’s first-team squad were left looking like they had been drenched during their Europa Conference League clash with Legia Warsaw.
But the problem was not unique to that game, with the issue plaguing them since the start of the season.
It has led to members of the team complaining the soaked kit was weighing them down.
And Villa stars have now lost patience with kit supplier Castore.
However, Villa’s women team have added their voices to the chorus of complaints against the kit, according to the Telegraph.
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Aston Villa women kick off their Women’s Super League campaign against Manchester United live on the BBC this Sunday.
A source close to the team said they were “deeply concerned” about wearing the kits, with another describing them as feeling “really bad” to play in.
Manager Carla Ward is understood to also be aware of the team’s problems, having worn it in all but one of their pre-season friendlies.
Villa will also be on TV on the second weekend of the season when they face Liverpool on October 8.
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Furious club bosses are now said to have approached Castore for a quick solution.
A report from the Mirror said the club will not take “no” for an answer due to the jersey being seen as a performance issue.
Both men and women teams are hoping for a quick solution to the issue.
Commentator Jacqui Oatley was left fearful at the impact of the kits on the Villa women’s team on for their opening WSL match.
Castore are in the second season of a “multi-year” deal with Villa.
The Manchester-based manufacturer’s tagline reads: “Demand better – premium performance.”
Andy Brian, a commercial contracts lawyer and partner at law firm Gordons, explained to the Telegraph the potential fallout of the complaints.
He said: “From a legal point of view, the key question will be whether the club’s agreement with the manufacturer contains a detailed specification of the products to be supplied and, if so, whether that spec extends to the composition and weight of the products.
“Typically, manufacturers will supply one spec of product for replica kit sales, and another more high-performance spec for the athletes to wear.
“In recent years, some manufacturers have also made higher spec ‘stadium shirts’ available for general sale at a premium price point.
He continued: “If the supply contract contains a detailed spec which is not being achieved, then it will be pretty straightforward to resolve; Castore will have to supply according to that spec.
“I don’t know what this contract says, but perhaps the more likely scenario is that Castore is supplying products which do comply with the contract, but Aston Villa are not happy with the quality.
“Realistically, it will likely be resolved commercially, but it’s pretty embarrassing.”
The men’s team have won four Premier League games this season, most recently a 1-0 win against Chelsea.
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Their next league match sees them host high-flying Brighton.
Villa women finished fifth in the WSL last season.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
