Unai Emery makes 'respect' point when discussing late Aston Villa v Tottenham date change
Villa boss Unai Emery has called for supporters to be shown more respect after this month’s home match against Tottenham was rescheduled at 10 days' notice.
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The fixture, originally scheduled for May 18, has been brought forward to next Friday, May 16 to allow the visitors more time to prepare for the Europa League final.
Villa are unhappy with director of football operations, Damian Vidagany, claiming the Premier League’s decision showed a “clear prejudice” after their own requests to move matches earlier in the season were rejected.
While Emery does not believe the change makes much of a sporting difference, he does have huge sympathy with fans who have had to change plans at short notice and in some cases miss out on the match completely.
“Respect our fans,” Emery said when asked about the fixture change during a press conference on Friday. “This is the most important. Respect for our fans.
“For me, the decision about whether to play on Friday or to play on Sunday - a sports decision - is not relevant. We can play Friday, we can play Sunday.
“But our supporters prefer to play because the plan changed 10 days or two weeks before the match.
“I can understand why they [fans] prefer to play on Sunday or Saturday during the weekend.
“I am going to focus on the match on Friday and I accept it. But of course, I understand the supporters and I have to protect my supporters.”
Emery confirmed midfielder Youri Tielemans will miss Saturday’s trip to Bournemouth with a muscle injury. The Belgium international is the only Villa player to have started every Premier League match this season.
Loan star Marcus Rashford also remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.
