Aston Villa vs Tottenham rescheduled to May 16 for Europa League preparations

The Premier League has moved Aston Villa’s home match against Tottenham Hotspur from Sunday, May 18, to Friday, May 16, following Tottenham's request to allow more preparation time ahead of a possible Europa League final on May 21. Both Tottenham and Manchester United, who are leading their respective Europa League semi-finals, will now play their league matches on the same night, ensuring equal rest periods should they both reach the final. Aston Villa objected to the rescheduling, citing concerns about a shorter turnaround between games, the impact on their own push for Champions League qualification, and disruption to planned fan activities for their final home game. Despite these objections, the Premier League approved Tottenham's request, a decision that has caused frustration among Villa supporters who perceive it as favoritism toward bigger clubs. The change means Villa will now have just six days between crucial matches, while Tottenham benefits from five full days to prepare for the European final, if they qualify. The move highlights ongoing tensions regarding fixture flexibility and perceived prioritization of teams in European competitions.