JOLEON LESCOTT has been a shining example of what not to do and what not to say as an out-of-form athlete in an abysmal team.

After Aston Villa were thumped 6-0 at home to Liverpool, Lescott “accidentally” tweeted a photo of an expensive Mercedes — he later claimed that the message was sent while his phone was in his pocket.

And after the club were relegated on Saturday following a 1-0 defeat to Manchester United, Lescott spoke to the media and said that the relegation was “a weight off the shoulders.”

Within minutes, a picture appeared on social media of Lescott next to the words: “It’s a relief to finally be relegated, it’s been looming over us for weeks. The fans’ negativity hasn’t helped this season. It’s been a major factor. But, we’ll have a good drink tonight then have a go at the last few games.”

The internet went crazy as supporters, and some parts of the media, took the quote as verbatim when, in truth, Lescott didn’t say any of that.

What he actually said certainly didn’t help how he is viewed by the public and, though the reaction of ex-players Paul McGrath and Stan Collymore may be seen as slightly over the top, they are only saying what every Villa fan is thinking right now.

“Why is it a weight off the shoulders, Joleon?” asked Collymore. “It should hang on your shoulders.

“There’s the Villa staff — there’s real weight on their shoulders. People are getting made redundant that have been there 20 years and don’t know where the next pay cheque is going to come from.”

McGrath called the defender a “slime bag” and that he “came to Villa for money and nothing more. He got what he wanted and laughed it off.”

Given the fallout from the real quote, you can see why clubs have their press officer alongside players, to bail them out of trouble.

Villa would have wished they had someone alongside the former England international on Saturday afternoon but is it actually correct that clubs stop players and managers from saying what they want?

I’ve been in press conferences where a manager has said something, walked out and the press officer has come back in tell journalists that they didn’t quite mean what they just said and told us what to write.

I’m pretty sure that Lescott meant what he said. He may have phrased it in the worst possible way but he’s not a 17-year-old being presented in front of a microphone and camera for the first time.

And as the media, it is our job to report on what is said, uncensored. Lescott will have to deal with the consequences and shouldn’t be allowed to hide behind a press officer.

When Lescott next takes to the field, expect the self-proclaimed Villa fan to be booed and whistled at for 90 minutes. If he doesn’t like it, he should think before he speaks.

Maybe it is in the DNA of Villa fans to just say the first thing that comes to their heads. When David Cameron — who can’t seem to remember whether he is a fan of the Midlands club or West Ham — talks you often wonder if his brain is connected to his mouth.

The same goes for Lescott, who has to be seeking another club in the summer, though I am not sure who would take him.

Especially after Collymore “accidentally (on purpose)” posted a picture of the two of them having a heated discussion online.

In the argument, Lescott says to Collymore that they should “get together and sort this out as men.”

Offering to fight people in the media for having an opinion, whether you agree with it or not, is not a good look. Tyson Fury tried this on late last year, when he threatened Daily Mail journalist Oliver Holt.

Fury had his invite to the British Sports Awards correctly rescinded and should have been in a lot more trouble than was the case.

So far, the Football Association and Villa have done nothing about the exchange and it wouldn’t surprise me if Lescott gets away with his comments.

Both the FA and the newly relegated club have a lot to deal with over the next few months and if Lescott isn’t punished, he should count his lucky stars and keep quiet for the rest of his career. For his own sake.