Aston Villa offer Good Friday gesture to local church
Villa decided against moving Saturday's game with Reading forward to Good Friday as a gesture of goodwill to the local church, it has emerged.
Steve Bruce's men will kick-off their Easter weekend double header a day later than the rest of the Championship when they host Reading on Saturday.
Initially, all fixtures in the division had been scheduled for that date but the Football League agreed to move the 11 other games forward to Good Friday, with clubs keen on getting an extra rest period before playing again on Easter Monday.
But Villa opted against requesting a switch following discussions with Aston Parish Church, who were concerned the match would clash with their Good Friday celebrations.
The church, which is situated only a few hundred metres from Villa Park, will be holding a prayer trail between noon and 3pm and the club agreed to keep their game on Saturday to avoid any disruption on the most important weekend of the Christian calendar.
Back in 2013, worshippers held a 'generous protest' - handing out hot-cross buns - when Villa's Premier League meeting with Liverpool was rescheduled for Easter Sunday.
At the time the vicar, the Reverend Andy Jolley, said Easter Sunday "should remain a special day for families" and worshippers argue fixtures on religious holidays make it difficult to visit the church.
After facing Reading, Villa are back in action just 48 hours later when they head to Fulham on Monday.
