Aston Villa has expressed concerns regarding their demanding Premier League schedule, particularly the challenge of playing two matches in London just 75 hours apart. This comes as they face Arsenal for the second time this season before even playing against Nottingham Forest.
After Ollie Watkins secured a 2-1 victory over Chelsea with two impressive goals, Villa is set to return to the capital on Tuesday to take on Arsenal again. Head coach Unai Emery has voiced his confusion regarding the scheduling, noting that it seems unusual for Villa to meet Mikel Arteta’s squad twice before having faced Forest.
Despite the grueling schedule, Villa remains competitive, positioned third in the league, just three points behind the leaders. Emery suggested that a more logical arrangement would have had Villa play Forest first before facing Arsenal on the weekend.
“The only thing I don’t understand is why we are playing, after Arsenal, Nottingham Forest at home,” Emery stated. He highlighted that Matchday 19 should ideally be against Forest, emphasizing the oddity of the current arrangement. Although the circumstances of the schedule are beyond their control, Emery remains focused on maintaining the team’s momentum and preparing for the challenging matches ahead.
As the season progresses, Villa’s ability to navigate this testing fixture list could be crucial for their title ambitions. With key players like Watkins stepping up, fans remain hopeful that the team will adapt and continue to deliver strong performances amidst the challenges.