Paul Robinson insists there is only home advantage when fans are in attendance as Aston Villa prepare for the first of their six fixtures at Villa Park on 17 June.
The former Spurs and Leeds shot-stopper, speaking exclusively to Football Insider correspondent Dylan Childs, claimed that without the “noise” and “intimidation” of home supporters there is no benefit to playing in your own ground.
The Premier League announced last week that fixtures would resume on 17 June.
Dean Smith’s side will first host this season’s surprise package, Sheffield United, at Villa Park.
It is the first of six home games for Villa with Chelsea, Arsenal, Crystal Palace, Manchester United and Wolves to follow.
When asked by Football InsiderĀ whether home advantage will be redundant upon the return, Robinson said:Ā “Teams are going to lose their home advantage.
“From my experience, there is such a thing as home advantage when you have got the crowd there but I genuinely think you lose that advantage when the crowd is not there.
“It is a strange thing in football – home and an away advantage.
“There is no intimidation without fans. It shows you more than anything that it is the fans and the noise that is he advantage.
“It is not the familiarity of the dressing room. The fans create the atmosphere and create a real home advantage.”
Premier League chief executive, Richard Masters, told Sky Sports that he was “optimistic” fans could return, on a phased basis, from next season.
Villa are currently 19th, two points off safety, with a game in hand.
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By: Football Insider speaking to Paul Robinson
Title: Aston Villa news: Robinson insists there's no home advantage without fans
Sourced From: www.footballinsider247.com/exclusive-paul-robinson-makes-bold-claim-ahead-of-first-aston-villa-match/
Published Date: Wed, 03 Jun 2020 19:00:57 +0000
