Aston Villa fans have had to be patient this summer as Adidas have been slow to release their new kits ahead of the Premier League season.
Aston Villa only revealed Adidas as their kit manufacturer for the new season in May, deciding to end their deal with Castore early after being left unhappy with the quality of their products.
This represented a significant deal for Vila, with the club estimated to earn £17 million per season from the long-term deal.
It also helps boost Villa’s presence on the global market; something the club’s tour of the United States this summer was also intended to improve.
Given how late Villa and Adidas agreed the new deal, Unai Emery’s side had to play their first two friendlies of the summer in a special limited edition design as the home kit was not ready.
The home strip has since been released and has been widely well received, but the same cannot be said on the leaked away kit.
Aston Villa away kit set to be unveiled just one day before Premier League opener against West Ham
The need for an away kit is pressing for Villa given they travel to West Ham – who also play in claret and blue – to start the Premier League season on Saturday.
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The club are set to address this issue in the nick of time as the official Aston Vila ‘X’ account posted on Monday: “Away kit. Friday. New store.”
Football fans are not renowned for their patience and Villa fans can be forgiven for their dismay at how late in the day the club have left the kit reveal.
However, most will take into account the mitigating factor of the agreement with Adidas coming so late last season and appreciate the fact it is one that should serve Villa well moving forward.
Aston villa fans react as new Adidas away kit leaked online
It would appear some fans could not wait until Friday to see their new away colours, with an image of the kit leaked online.
Villa fans were quick to react to the simple white design with claret and blue trims, with the general consensus that it has not been worth the wait.
One fan took to ‘X’ to comment: “Boring, same as always”.
Another echoed this sentiment, saying: “Pretty boring and uninspired. Actually prefer the temporary away shirt we have had.”
One supporter was left really unimpressed, saying: “If that’s the kit it looks plain and boring. Could have released this weeks ago if that’s all the effort that’s gone into it.”
Perhaps most disappointing for Villa fans is the fact it so closely resembles Castore’s away shirt from last season, with one fan pointing this out as they said: “Exact same as last year with different sponsors.”
Perhaps not an instant classic, Emery will be keen for his players to give the Villa fans some fond memories in the soon to be released away shirt.
