Former Chelsea defender Jason Cundy has hinted he does not believe Newcastle United and Sunderland being relegated this season would be a big loss to the Premier League, as he does not see the pair as big clubs, in contrast to Aston Villa.
Newcastle suffered a damaging 3-1 home defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday to leave themselves in deep trouble, second from bottom in the Premier League with 24 points from 28 games.
Sunderland meanwhile grabbed a 1-1 draw away at Southampton and sit just one place and one point above the drop zone, on 25 points from 29 games.
Aston Villa, who were thrashed 4-0 at Manchester City, are bottom on 16 points and all but down to the Championship.
Cundy, who watched Chelsea draw 1-1 with Stoke City, thinks Aston Villa are a big presence in the Premier League, but dismissed Newcastle and Sunderland as two clubs that do not qualify as big.
relatedNewsStory
With the presenter remarking that the league could see three huge clubs going down in Aston Villa, Sunderland and Newcastle, Cundy shot back on Chelsea TV: "Newcastle aren't a big club."
He was asked whether he classes Sunderland as a big club and replied: "No."
And the former defender continued: "You want to talk about big clubs? Villa are a big club.
"Newcastle haven't won anything in my lifetime."
Keen to close the conversation off, Cundy then said: "Come on, this is not Newcastle TV – let's move on!"
Next up for Sunderland is a visit from Newcastle on 20th March, while Newcastle are next in action against Leicester City on 14th March.
Aston Villa host title chasing Tottenham Hotspur next on 13th March.
