Aston Villa players complain that Castore's sweaty T-shirts are affecting their performance

Players say wet-looking shirts are weighing them down this season. Photo: AP/Alastair Grant

Aston Villa players have told the club they are unhappy with this season's wet shirts, which they say weigh them down.

Head coach Unai Emery is believed to be aware of this problem and Villa is now working with sports manufacturer Castore to try to resolve the issue. find a solution as quickly as possible.

Villa have released new home, away and third kits this season, but fans have noticed the shirts quickly become wet and stick to players during games due to sweat.

Telegraph Sport understands this has sparked complaints by players who believe this is a performance issue and have told members of the Villa management that the shirts are becoming uncomfortable and heavy.

‌The problem is particularly evident on the burgundy home shirts, which quickly darken during games. but the players say the white away kit is just as good.

Villa's kit (centre and right) clearly behaved very differently to Legia Warsaw's kit (left) during a Europa Conference League match earlier this month. Photo: GETTY IMAGES/Adam Nurkiewicz The Castore deal was announced to great fanfare in 2022. Photo: Aston Villa/Neville Williams

Villa are two years into a multi-year deal with British sportswear manufacturer Castore and it remains to be seen whether this issue could impact that deal.

‌Newcastle United have triggered an exit clause to free up their Castore's contract was supposed to run until 2027, so they could switch to Adidas at the end of this season.

One source close to the Villa player told Telegraph Sport: “Players are having to play in wet shirts and that is a problem that needs to be addressed. This can't go on all season. After about 10 minutes the players look like they've jumped into a swimming pool.”

Villa have made an encouraging start to the season, winning four of their opening six Premier League games, but Emery will welcome complaints. its players need to be dealt with quickly.

‌This issue will not affect replica shirts purchased by fans, as Villa will not face the possibility of withdrawing the kit or releasing replacements to the public.

‌Any solution would likely require Castore to produce a new batch of player jerseys that absorb sweat much better and remain lightweight.

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“Announcing the “landmark” partnership with Castore in May 2022, Villa released a club statement which said: “Castore and Aston Villa are aligned in terms of their future goals, including; A commitment to excellence, a clear strategic direction and a challenger mentality make the new partnership a perfect synergy.”

‌As well as Villa and Newcastle, Castore have produced kits for Wolverhampton Wanderers this season. , Rangers and Sevilla. and Bayer Leverkusen, among others.

Another new crest on the way

In addition, Villa announced that the club would launch a new crest for the second campaign in a row after concluding that the round The badge featured on this season's shirts «has not had the effect that was hoped for.»

In an announcement on the club's website, Villa said they would survey fans' opinions before choosing a permanent new crest ahead of the club's 150th anniversary next year.

Villa hosted Everton in the League Cup on Wednesday night in front of perhaps the smallest crowd at Villa Park since their return to the Premier League.

The Midlands club was criticized. from fans for taking tickets to the first League Cup game of the off-season and charging a minimum of £30 per adult ticket.