Aston Villa chief 'not happy' as Newcastle United & Champions League rivals see Premier League approve request
Aston Villa fans are furious after their final home game of the 2024-25 Premier League season was brought forward 48 hours.
Villa were originally due to host Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, May 18 but the fixture will now take place on Friday, May 16 at the request of the visitors.
Spurs confirmed previously that they had been in discussions with the Premier League over a change of date to allow them to have the same preparation time as Manchester United for the Europa League final on Wednesday, May 21 - should both teams make it.
Ange Postecoglou's side take a two-goal lead to Norway on Thursday after a first-leg 3-1 home win over Bodo/Glimt, while Man United have a three-goal lead over Athletic Bilbao ahead of the second-leg at Old Trafford on Thursday.
Aston Villa express anger at Premier League decision
The Red Devils face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on May 16 after the fixture was moved to avoid clashing with the Women’s FA Cup final between the two sides on May 18.
However, as per Sky Sports News, Villa had written to the Premier League to object Tottenham’s request, arguing that it is also an important period in their season amid the race for Champions League qualification and that it would represent double standards.
Despite Villa’s protests, the top-flight have granted Spurs’ wish, meaning the game has been rescheduled with just 10 days’ notice. Following the announcement, Aston director of football operations Damian Vidagany has expressed his unhappiness on social media.
"Fixture changed and honestly, not happy," Vidagany wrote on X. "But it could be even worse. We really pushed - everyone in the club at different levels - with solid and fair grounds to protect our fans (our main task and duty) and keep the Spurs match on Sunday. Nothing against Spurs.
"Considering the alternatives (much worse Wednesday or Thursday) and the process conducted, the final outcome to play on Friday is the less damaging we could get. Why? EPL wanted both English teams (potential but not confirmed yet UEL finalists) have more and equal rest. Saturday was better but FA didn’t accept any match on Saturday (FA Cup final protection).
"It was not considered never to move Chelsea - United to Sunday and then match it with our original fixture, because FA Women’s Final on Sunday was colliding and both clubs involved didn’t want to go Sunday. And then the truth is SKY helped us to go Friday and not to go earlier in midweek. At the end, it is what it is.
"Hopefully in the future all of them would remind the clear prejudice in this case to Villa fans and will be consistent and equally supportive, if we need changes to help us in Europe (if hopefully we are there). We didn’t feel this support last season or this one.”
The race for Champions League qualification
Only Premier League champions Liverpool have guaranteed Champions League qualification for next season, meaning six teams - Arsenal, Manchester City, Newcastle United, Chelsea, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa -are battling for four positions, i.e. a top five finish.
Arsenal sit second on 67 points but only four points separate third place Man City and seventh place Villa. City are on 64 points, Newcastle are fourth and Chelsea are fifth level on 63 points, Forest are sixth on 61 points and Villa have 60 points.
Here are each team’s remaining three fixtures:
Arsenal: Sunday, May 11: Liverpool (A), 4:30pm kick-off, Sunday, May 18: Newcastle United (H), 4:30pm kick-off, Sunday, May 25: Southampton (H), 4pm kick-off.
Manchester City: Saturday, May 10: Southampton (A), 4pm kick-off, Sunday, May 18: Bournemouth (H), 7pm kick-off, Sunday, May 25: Fulham (A), 4pm kick-off.
Newcastle United: Sunday. May 11: Chelsea (H), 12pm kick-off, Sunday, May 18: Arsenal (A), 4:30pm kick-off, Sunday, May 25: Everton (H), 4pm kick-off.
Chelsea Sunday, May 11: Newcastle United (A), 12pm kick-off, Friday, May 16: Manchester United (H), 8:15pm kick-off, Sunday, May 25: Nottingham Forest (A), 4pm kick-off.
Nottingham Forest: Sunday, May 11: Leicester City (H), 2:15pm kick-off, Sunday, May 18: West Ham United (A), 2:15pm kick-off, Sunday, May 25: Chelsea (H), 4pm kick-off.
Aston Villa: Saturday, May 10: Bournemouth (A), 5.30pm kick-off, Friday, May 16: Tottenham Hotspur (H), 7:30pm kick-off, Sunday, May 25: Man United (A), 4pm kick-off.