Aston Villa told to ‘suck it up’ amid Premier League fury
Aston Villa were furious over the decision to reschedule the Premier League clash with Tottenham.
The final Villa Park contest of the season was originally scheduled for Sunday (18 May) but was moved to Friday (16 May) after Spurs made a request.
The Premier League agreed with the plea due to Ange Postecoglou’s side’s involvement in the Europa League final against Manchester United on 21 May.
Villa chief Monchi slammed the decision on social media, claiming that it would be a severe inconvenience to supporters.
Aston Villa decision is common sense
Villa fans felt that they had been let down after an earlier request to give more rest before the Champions League quarter-final clash with Paris Saint-Germain was turned down.
Unai Emery’s side were ultimately knocked out the competition despite a spirited fightback when the Parisians came to B6.
The announcement has left a sour taste in the mouth for Villans supporters but TV Commentator Ian Darke believes it was correct.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, he said: “I think they have made the right decision with that.
“All I would say about that is if Aston Villa were playing in that European final against Manchester United next Wednesday, they would have wanted the game moved, wouldn’t they?
“Common sense has prevailed there, I realise that there is an element of inconvenience for Villa, but it is the right decision.
“They going to have to suck it up and take it on the chin, Villa, as incovienient as it is for some people that might have made plans based around the original date.
| Premier League | Played | GD | Points |
| 4. Man City | 36 | +24 | 65 |
| 5. Chelsea | 36 | +19 | 63 |
| 6. Aston Villa | 36 | +7 | 63 |
| 7. Nottingham Forest | 36 | +12 | 62 |
“I think it would be wrong if Man United had two extra days to prepare for the final, in fact, I would like to see them do this sort of thing a little bit more.
“Be a bit more flexible to help our clubs prepare for when they do have a big European date, which they certainly do on the continent.
“You’ll find, if they have got a massive game on the Tuesday, they will end up playing their weekend game on the Friday night, it doesn’t happen much in our country because it is all run by television to some extent.”
Premier League need to help their clubs
The last point that Darke makes is the most salient in Villa’s case, there is no point being salty about the lack of favours that they have been given.
However, the governing body should give more room for fixtures to be moved to help English sides in European competition, like their continental counterparts do.
There is no telling what the Lions could have done with an extra 24 hours to rest ahead of the crucial clash with Luis Enrique‘s side.