Aston Villa has voiced strong concerns regarding their Premier League fixture schedule, leading to a pointed response from the league. The club is particularly frustrated with having to play Arsenal for the second time this season before facing Nottingham Forest even once. According to Aston Villa representatives, they "do not understand why this situation has arisen," especially as the current matchday includes fixtures of the reverse round.

Unai Emery, Aston Villa's manager, expressed his perplexity over the scheduling, noting that in his 20 years of coaching, he has never experienced a situation where his team finishes the first part of the season without playing against all 19 teams in the league. He stated that they are playing 18 teams, with Arsenal twice, before their first match against Nottingham Forest on January 3rd. Despite his confusion, Emery said he accepts the situation.

Adding to the controversy, Aston Villa's Director of Football, Damian Vidagany, alluded to potential bias favoring bigger clubs in the league. In a social media post, Vidagany encouraged observers to "take a look which clubs are playing home both last and next match," suggesting that the scheduling might not be impartial and warning against the fixtures becoming a "political territory".

The Premier League has yet to officially respond; however, historically, they have maintained that scheduling is a complex process balancing various factors, including broadcast commitments, European competition participation, and stadium availability. Simon Jordan reacted to Aston Villa's fury over the Spurs fixture change and said that they are being disingenuous. The league typically aims to provide fair conditions for all clubs but sometimes faces difficult decisions that may disadvantage some teams.

This isn't the first time Aston Villa has protested fixture congestion. In February, the club's request to reschedule a game against Liverpool was rejected, resulting in a demanding schedule of five games in 14 days. This refusal fueled further frustration, especially considering the team's ambitions in both domestic and European competitions.

The situation highlights the ongoing tension between clubs seeking optimal preparation and the Premier League's need to manage a complex and demanding fixture calendar. As Aston Villa seeks clarification and a more equitable approach, the incident raises broader questions about fairness and transparency in Premier League scheduling.

Despite the scheduling issues, Emery remains focused on his team's performance and objectives. He acknowledged the challenge posed by Arsenal, recognizing them as strong title contenders. He also encouraged fans to dream, saying, "Dreams are free," while staying grounded about Villa's prospects.