Villa Park
(Credit: Imago)
Keith Hackett
Mon 14 July 2025 7:10, UK
Aston Villa’s Premier League fixture dates for August were announced in recent days, but they could already be changed.
Villa face a fairly tough start as they will come up against Newcastle, Brentford and Crystal Palace in their opening three games, with two of them selected for television coverage.
While Villa are already qualified for the Europa League group stages, there has been chaos with some of their upcoming opponents.
Crystal Palace won the FA Cup in May, but were demoted to the Europa Conference League as a result of joint-ownership with Lyon, and this has caused chaos with regard to the upcoming fixtures.
Unai Emery
Emery is primed for a big season at Aston Villa (Credit: Imago)
Aston Villa v Crystal Palace to be moved again
Aston Villa’s clash with Palace in gameweek three was moved to Friday, August 29, by the Premier League as it was selected for TV coverage.
The Sun (July 12, page 33) have reported Palace’s demotion to the Conference League has meant that the Eagles will face a qualifying round fixture on Thursday, August 28, meaning the Villa clash will be moved.
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Speaking exclusively to Villa News, former FIFA referee Keith Hackett has now explained that as UEFA competitions take priority, it is the Premier League fixture which will have to be moved.
“UEFA competitions take priority over the domestic leagues across Europe,” Hackett stated.
“So the Premier League have to be flexible and they will have to rearrange games accordingly.”
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery
Villa will now have their game against Palace moved (Credit: Imago)
Aston Villa fans face frustration over fixture change
The upcoming game against Palace will now be moved as a result of UEFA’s decision to demote Palace from the Europa League, but aside from wider issues, it is Villa and Palace fans who will suffer.
When the fixture changes were previously announced, fans would have paid for tickets, travel and accommodation for a game at Villa Park on a Friday night.
Now, fans are set to lose out as the game will be moved, possibly to Sunday or Monday later that weekend, but there will be many who will lose money on transport and other costs, in a frustrating development from something beyond their control.
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