Tottenham look set to get their way over Aston Villa amid a dispute with the Premier League.
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Tottenham could be set to get their way over the Aston Villa fixture debacle as they push for a Europa League final spot. Spurs are currently preparing for their Europa League semi-final second leg with Bodo/Glimt, headed to Norway where they will attempt to protect a 3-1 lead on an artificial pitch.
If Ange Postecoglou’s men do come out on top, they will book a place in the Europa League final in Bilbao, facing either Manchester United or Athletic Club on May 21.
Given that possibility, Tottenham have been in discussions with the Premier League over the possibility of moving their May 18 Premier League fixture with Aston Villa. That game was due to take place just three days before the Europa League final having already been moved so that it could be included for Sky Sports broadcast.
Villa, who are battling to stay in the top five race, hoping for a Champions League spot, are said to be unhappy with the request, most likely because of the proximity to the fixture, which is now less than two weeks away. But Matt Law has now reported that fixture will indeed be moved, and likely to Friday, May 16. He tweeted: “Sounds like an announcement planned on this for today - my understanding is the match will be moved.”
That will upset Villa, who have reportedly been fighting against the idea, though while it is far from ideal for fans, Villa themselves warned that the fixture could moved if they got to the FA Cup final. A statement read at the time: “Aston Villa's Premier League game against Tottenham Hotspur has been rescheduled. The club's final home game of the 2024/25 campaign is still slated for Sunday, May 18, kicking off at either 2.15pm or 7pm.
“The kick-off time will be confirmed if Villa are knocked out in the FA Cup semi-finals, while the match will be moved to a new date if Unai Emery's team reach the final. The game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.”
The reality is that Villa would have been happy to move the fixture had it been in aid of an FA Cup final appearance, but they are not happy with the fact that it could be moved to aid Tottenham, who arguably should have a fair shot at winning the Europa League final by having more than two full days of rest, also having to travel to Bilbao in that time.
Their likely opponents in the final, should they get there, are Manchester United, and they play their Premier League game on Friday, May 16. The Premier League can give both teams equal rest by making the fixture adjustment, which will have been Tottenham’s argument during this process.
Naturally, though, there are logistical issues for fans when a game is moved in such close proximity, and the Premier League should, perhaps, have moved this fixture even on the off-chance one of these teams reached their respective finals, especially given there was twice the chance the fixture would have to be moved due to Villa being in the FA Cup semi-finals and Tottenham reaching the same stage of the Europa League.