Unai Emery and Aston Villa have criticised the ‘mystery’ fixture schedule as the Midlands title prospects face Arsenal twice ahead of the halfway stage of the season.
Villa travel to London for the second time in three days to take on the Gunners in what is a highly intriguing encounter at the top of the Premier League.
Despite this being the 19th game of the season and therefore reaching the halfway stage, it’s the second time they have played each other this campaign.
Villa ran out 2-1 winners against Arsenal at home just over three weeks ago, which makes the ‘double-chance’ bet a generous price in our Premier League tips.
Emery’s side have yet to face Nottingham Forest, with that fixture set for gameweek 20.
Unai Emery questions fixture schedule vs Arsenal
Emery was critical of the fixture schedule, in which his side faces another trip to London after taking on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on the 27th.
Arsenal have their second home game in three days after taking on Brighton.
Speaking ahead of the Arsenal game, he said: “We must accept it, because it is not in our hands.
“The only thing I don’t understand is why we are playing after Arsenal, Nottingham Forest at home.
“The day 19 is not against Forest, which is the first half of the season. This is the only thing I don’t understand.
“The circumstances which are not in our hands, we must accept them and keep going.”
Villa’s Director of Football Damian Vidagany also weighed into the debate and hit out at the Premier League for the schedule.
He insinuates that there is favouritism towards the so-called ‘bigger teams’ in the league.
Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool are all at home twice in consecutive fixtures between Christmas and the New Year while Manchester City are away.
He wrote on social media: “Totally understand our manager. Why EPL (the Premier League) brings a match day from the 2nd half of the season, before matchday 19, has no clear explanation.
“I asked to EPL people, and they didn’t tell us. So it is a mystery.
“The fact is that, willing or not, this makes it (the fixtures) more convenient for certain clubs that are not travelling on this very busy Christmas period. I let you take a look at which clubs are playing at home both last and next match.
“To make us play two away games in less than 72 hours will never be an excuse, but we agree that it is much better on the recovery side to play twice at home and not travel.”
Premier League respond to Aston Villa
The Premier League insist they have provided a response to Villa detailing the fixture schedule, including a full explanation at the beginning of the season.
The scheduling is done to create a better overall home and away sequence of fixtures across the season.
Villa are at home to Nottingham Forest on January 3, but then face yet another away trip to London to face Crystal Palace four days later.
