Aston Villa Champions League anger as Premier League bow to Spurs fixture move request | OneFootball

Aston Villa going for Champions League qualification and Spurs aiming for the Europa League trophy.

The two clubs had been due to play each other at Villa Park on Sunday 18 May.

However, with the possibility of Spurs getting to the Europa League final which is scheduled for Wednesday 21 May, the North London club asked the Premier League to move the game so they would have more preparation time if reaching the final.

Aston Villa rejected the idea, saying that moving the fixture could/would negatively impact their chances of finishing top five in the Premier League and qualifying for the Champions League.

Now the Premier League have made their decision, letting Spurs have their own way and Villa far from happy.

The Aston Villa v Spurs match has now been moved to Friday 16 May with a 7.30pm kick-off.

That has also led the Premier League to move the Chelsea v Man U kick-off on that same night from 8pm to 8.15pm.

So now, if Man U and Spurs both get to the Europa League final, they will both have five days each between matches to prepare.

So unless there are further changes…this is the schedule for the 13 matches that remain, which involve the five clubs chasing three Champions League spots.

Saturday 10 May

Southampton v Man City (3pm)

Bournemouth v Villa (5.30pm)

Sunday 11 May

Newcastle v Chelsea (12pm)

Forest v Leicester (2.15pm)

Friday 16 May

Villa v Spurs (7.30pm)

Chelsea v Man U (8.15pm)

Sunday 18 May

West Ham v Forest (2.15pm)

Arsenal v Newcastle (4.30pm)

Tuesday 20 May

Man City v Bournemouth (8pm)

Sunday 25 May

Fulham v Man City (4pm)

Man U v Villa (4pm)

Newcastle v Everton (4pm)

Forest v Chelsea (4pm)

This is how the Premier League table now looks on Tuesday 6 May 2025 ahead of those final 13 matches above:

Regardless of which club you think should have won the argument on whether the Villa v Spurs match should have been moved or not, a couple of things to consider.

Surely it makes sense that the FA Cup final and all three European competition finals should be played after the end of the Premier League (and other domestic leagues) season.

Having the FA Cup final on Saturday 17 May, eight days before the Premier League season ends, is just horrendous. Tradition always was in the past that the FA Cup final was the very last major domestic match in England each season.

Whilst having the Europa League final (21 May) in between the last two Premier League weekends of the season, makes little sense either. For some reason, the less valued Europa Conference League final getting a slot the following Wednesday (28 May) after the Premier League season has ended.