Aston Villa’s chief executive, Damian Vidagany, has publicly expressed the club’s frustration with the scheduling decisions made by the Premier League. With the team striving to maintain its title challenge, they face the challenge of playing crucial matches in quick succession — specifically, playing against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium just three days after their victory over Chelsea.
The situation is compounded by the fact that Villa will have faced Arsenal twice before even playing Nottingham Forest, who are set to visit Villa Park on January 3. Vidagany took to social media platform X to express his bewilderment at the league’s decision-making process, noting the lack of clarity regarding why fixtures for the second half of the season are being arranged before reaching the midway point.
“It is a mystery,” Vidagany stated. He pointed out that the scheduling seems to favor certain clubs that do not have to travel during the hectic Christmas period, which can significantly impact team recovery and performance. He emphasized the challenges that arise from having to play two away fixtures within such a short timeframe, while he acknowledged the inherent difficulties of travel during this busy schedule.
Vidagany also made it clear that Aston Villa does not wish for fixtures to become a matter of political maneuvering within the league’s structure. The club’s focus remains on ensuring fair play and maintaining competitiveness as they push for success in the Premier League.
The sentiment from Aston Villa’s leadership underscores the broader challenges faced by clubs in navigating busy schedules, especially during crucial periods in the season. As Villa prepares for their upcoming fixtures, the hope remains that the Premier League will consider the implications of its scheduling decisions moving forward, ensuring a level playing field for all teams involved.