Aston Villa has expressed frustration with the Premier League’s scheduling, particularly concerning their upcoming matches in London. The club will be playing two fixtures in the capital, spaced just 75 hours apart, raising eyebrows among players and staff alike. Following a commendable 2-1 win against Chelsea, where Ollie Watkins scored twice, Villa is set to face Arsenal again, marking their second encounter with Mikel Arteta’s team before even meeting Nottingham Forest this season.
Head coach Unai Emery has voiced his confusion over the scheduling, questioning why Villa will play Arsenal for the second time before they have played Forest, which is traditionally seen as the team’s first fixture of the season. He commented on the perplexing timing, suggesting that it would have made more sense to play Forest first. “The only thing I don’t understand is why we are playing, after Arsenal, Nottingham Forest at home,” Emery stated, stressing his concern over the matchday arrangement.
Currently positioned third in the Premier League, Villa is just three points behind the league leaders, making each match crucial. As they prepare for their home game against Nottingham Forest this Saturday, the team remains determined to continue their strong performance despite the challenging schedule. Emery has emphasized that while the circumstances are beyond their control, the club must adapt and keep pushing forward in their campaign.