Aston Villa chief points finger at Premier League over 'favouritism' ahead of Arsenal clash

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Damian Vidagany has questioned why Aston Villa have to play two away matches over the course of 72 hours this Christmas , while the likes of Arsenal , Liverpool and Chelsea see both their fixtures take place on home soil. The Villans secured a 2-1 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday thanks to a second-half brace from Ollie Watkins overshadowing Joao Pedro's opener.

And instead of facing Nottingham Forest for the first time this season at home next, they will instead travel to the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night to play league leaders Arsenal. That's despite already having faced Mikel Arteta's Gunners earlier this month.

As a result, Unai Emery told Mirror Football : "The day 19 is not against Forest, which is the first half of the season. This is the only thing I don't understand."

And now, Vidagany has also weighed in on the bizarre situation, as Villa will kick-off the second-half of the season despite not playing each team at least once. Taking to X, Villa's Director of Football Operations wrote: "Totally understand our manager.

"Why EPL brings a match day from 2nd half of season before matchday 19 has not a 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 more convenient the fixtures for certain clubs that are not travelling on this very busy Christmas period. I let you take a look which clubs are playing home both last and next match.

"To make us play two away games in less than 72 hours will be never an excuse but we agree that is much better on the recovery side play twice at home and not travel. We are not, for sure, as it is obvious, having any influence. It would be a disgrace if the fixtures become a political territory."

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When one X user replied: "Arsenal, Chelsea, Man Utd, Liverpool all given two home games over Christmas. How interesting," Vidagany then responded: "Random?" with an emoji of a face sticking its tongue out.

It comes as a number of 'big six' clubs enjoyed a match at home during game week 18 of the Premier League , while Villa were on the road to Chelsea. Manchester United secured a 1-0 win over Newcastle United at Old Trafford, and Arsenal beat Brighton 2-1 in north London.

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Liverpool, meanwhile, enjoyed a 2-1 win of their own over Wolves at Anfield. For context, each of these teams will also play at home in game week 19 of the Premier League.

Come Tuesday, Chelsea play host to Bournemouth , Arsenal welcome Aston Villa and Manchester United return to their home ground to do battle with Wolves. On Thursday, meanwhile, Liverpool also take on Leeds United in front of the Kop.

It comes as table-topping Arsenal have a three-point lead over third-place Aston Villa headed into Tuesday's clash, although due to goal difference, it is incredibly likely that the Gunners would retain their place above Villa, even in defeat. However, with Manchester City breathing down Arsenal's neck by a point, and Pep Guardiola's side facing Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Thursday, Arteta will understand the importance of his team bringing their A-game to the field against the Villans.

Mirror Football has approached the Premier League for response with regards to their scheduling.

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