Aston Villa Director Damian Vidagany Slams Premier League Over Fixture Change for Tottenham Clash
Tension rises at Villa Park after the Premier League confirms that Aston Villa’s final home game of the 2024/25 season will be brought forward by almost 48 hours. Originally scheduled for Sunday, May 18, Villa’s clash with Tottenham Hotspur will now take place on Friday, May 16 — a decision motivated by Tottenham’s potential involvement in the Europa League final.
The rescheduling angered Aston Villa’s Director of Football Operations, Damian Vidagany, who took to social media to express his frustration. He described the decision as evidence of a “clear bias” against the Midlands club, criticizing the league’s failure to protect the interests of Villa supporters.
Premier League bias? The backlash begins
The match was moved to accommodate Tottenham’s possible participation in the European final the following week. Spurs currently lead Bodo/Glimt 3-1 on aggregate in the Europa League semifinals and, should they advance, the Premier League wants to ensure enough recovery time for the North London side.
While the intention may seem logical, the execution and communication of the change left a bitter taste in the mouths of Aston Villa fans. Vidagany revealed that Villa initially rejected Spurs’ request, citing strong concerns over the impact on supporters, travel arrangements, and the sentimental value of the club’s last home game of the season.
“The match has been moved and, honestly, I’m not happy,” Vidagany wrote. “We really pushed back — everyone at the club, at different levels — with strong and fair arguments to protect our fans… I hope in the future everyone reminds Villa supporters of the clear bias in this case.”
A disservice to Villa’s faithful
Fans are understandably outraged. The sudden change has disrupted travel bookings, accommodation plans, and even scheduled tours of Villa Park, all originally set for the Sunday matchday. For many supporters, especially those traveling from afar, this disruption carries significant financial and logistical consequences.
One fan pointed out the last-minute cancellations of excursions and fan events. Vidagany responded with empathy, stating: “Exactly our stadium. This means a major loss. What hurts the fans, hurts Villa.”
Behind the scenes: why Friday was chosen
While Saturday might have seemed like a reasonable compromise, the FA Cup final prevents any domestic fixtures on that day. Other potential swaps, such as moving Chelsea vs. Manchester United to Sunday, were dismissed due to the Women’s FA Cup final and opposition from the clubs involved.
In the end, Sky Sports reportedly worked with Villa to avoid an even worse outcome — such as a midweek match on Wednesday or Thursday. Although Friday is far from ideal, Vidagany admitted it was the “least damaging” option.
Looking ahead: Will Villa receive equal treatment?
Vidagany’s closing remarks hint at a broader concern: will Aston Villa receive the same consideration if they are competing in Europe in future seasons?
“We didn’t feel that support last season or this one… I hope we are there [in Europe] and are treated equally.”
As Aston Villa continues its rise under Unai Emery, fairness in scheduling and policies that put fans first must become priorities — not just for the traditional “Big Six,” but for all Premier League clubs aspiring to compete at the highest level.
