Aston Villa has expressed frustration with the Premier League due to the scheduling of their fixtures, finding it challenging to play two matches in London just 75 hours apart and facing Arsenal twice before encountering Nottingham Forest this season.
The issue was highlighted following Villa’s 2-1 victory over Chelsea on Saturday, where Ollie Watkins netted both goals to secure the win. Notably, Villa’s head coach, Unai Emery, has voiced confusion over why his team will face Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal for the second time this season before even playing against Forest, a situation he believes could have been better structured.
In light of the tight schedule, Villa will head back to the capital for a clash with Arsenal on Tuesday before returning to Villa Park to play Nottingham Forest on Saturday. Emery highlighted the oddity of their matchday arrangement, noting, “The only thing I don’t understand is why we are playing, after Arsenal, Nottingham Forest at home.” He added that it would have made more sense to play against Forest prior to the match against Arsenal, creating a more balanced schedule.
Despite the scheduling challenges, Villa remains competitive in the Premier League, currently sitting third, just three points off the top spot. As they prepare for their upcoming fixtures, the team and its supporters will be hoping for clear skies and positive outcomes in the matches ahead.