Aston Villa set to object Tottenham fixture switch request
Villa are poised to object Tottenham’s request to move next month’s Premier League fixture.
Spurs are due to visit B6 on Sunday May 18 but want the match moved as they could potentially be playing in the Europa League final three days later.
Villa are against the match being moved as they want as much time to prepare for the game as possible as they chase a top-five finish and a return to the Champions League.
The club believe a move would speak of double standards after they played eight matches in 24 days in April, including both legs of their Champions League quarter-final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
Unai Emery's team played away at Southampton a little over 72 hours before the second leg of the tie, in which they were beaten 5-4 on aggregate. PSG were allowed to move their league fixture on the same weekend by the French League.
Villa, who sit seventh in the table, are due to have eight days off after playing at Bournemouth on May 10.
Tottenham contacted the Premier League after Villa were beaten in Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final by Crystal Palace.
Had Emery’s team won, their trip to Villa Park would have automatically moved due to Villa playing in the FA Cup final on Saturday, May 17.
It is understood Spurs have asked the match now be moved to the evening of Thursday, May 15.
A club statement from the London club released on Sunday morning read: "We should like to inform supporters that we are in discussions with the Premier League regarding a change in date to our away Premier League match against Aston Villa, currently scheduled for Sunday 18 May."
Tottenham face Norweigan club Bodo/Glimt in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final this week and could play either Manchester United or Athletic Bilbao in the final.
