Aston Villa urge Castore to supply their men’s and women’s team with new kit, following complaints the current shirts are becoming too heavy with sweat

Aston Villa are urging sportswear partners Castore to supply a new kit as their top priority after both men’s and women’s teams complained about the current design.

Players have informed club officials that the shirts become heavy with sweat too quickly, which they believe risks impairing performance.

Though it is understood there is no quick fix and the issue may take weeks to solve, Mail Sport understands Villa are applying pressure on Castore to find a solution in a shorter time. 

The idea of using last season’s kit is a non-starter: Villa’s front-of-shirt sponsor changed over the summer, and even if that were not a problem, it is unclear whether there are enough 2022-23 strips to go around.

It is thought Wolves‘ men’s and women’s side had the same issue last season, though the matter did not become public. After discussions with Castore, the fabric was altered during the off-season and players have reported an improvement this season.

Aston Villa’s women’s team are due to wear the kit for the first team this weekend, but the club want Castore to provide the players with new kits as quickly as possible

After Wednesday’s home defeat by Everton in the Carabao Cup, Unai Emery claimed his players had not made him aware of any discomfort with their shirts but privately many have said they are unhappy. 

There is unlikely to be an answer before Emery’s men face Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday, though Villa’s women’s team are ‘dreading’ their opening game of the season because of fears over their ‘clingy’ shirts, according to football commentator Jacqui Oatley.

Villa host Manchester United live on BBC2 on Sunday but players are concerned over how they will look in the strip.

‘They are dreading playing in it, for obvious reasons’ Oatley told Mail Sport. ‘No woman that I know wants to get hot and sweaty and have their sports gear cling to them in all places, live on television in particular.

‘It just shouldn’t be happening. I personally think these women need to have a different kit to play in, however they do it, I absolutely think they have to come up with a solution before Sunday.’ Mail Sport contacted Castore for comment.