(Credit: Imago)

Keith Hackett delighted as new Aston Villa v Tottenham fixture date set

Refereeing Consultant AUTHORITY Former FIFA Referee; Head of PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited). FOCUS Laws of the Game, VAR implementation, officiating performance, and PGMOL policy. THE AUDIT Keith utilises Statscore’s Officiating Telemetry, including Deep-Data Metrics like Incident Accuracy Rates, VAR Intervention Latency, and Official Positional Efficiency. He provides technical refereeing analysis to reveal the regulatory reality behind match-defining decisions.

Published on:

06 May 2025, 4:25 am

Tottenham fans can finally lock in their plans for the upcoming Aston Villa match as the Premier League is set to make an imminent announcement on the kick-off tine.

Spurs had requested to the Premier League that the match be brought forward from its original slot of 18 May, which falls just three days before the Europa League final.

With Tottenham 3-1 up against Bodo/Glimt ahead of this week's return fixture in Norway, Ange Postecoglou will want all the help he can get ahead of the final in Bilbao.

Aston Villa pushed for the fixture to stay as it was, given it is their final home match of the season and plans are in place, including players' families likely attending the match.

After plenty of deliberating, a decision now finally looks set to be announced on Tuesday (6 May).

Postecoglou will be pleased at the Villa v Spurs fixture change (Credit: Imago)

Aston Villa v Tottenham set for May 16

Spurs wanted the game at Villa Park played on the Thursday (May 15), but they will have to settle for it being the following day on May 16.

That is still two days earlier than initially planned, and is also the same kick-off slot as Manchester United's clash with Chelsea.

Given Man United will likely be Spurs' opponents in the final, that means the two English rivals will have the exact same preparation time.

Daily Telegraph reporter Matt Law posted on X (6 May): "Aston Villa v Spurs to be moved to Friday May 16, 7.30pm kick off.

"That means Spurs and Man Utd will have same preparation time for a Europa League final should they both get there. PL announcement expected today."

Aston Villa v Spurs to be moved to Friday May 16, 7.30pm kick off. That means Spurs and Man Utd will have same preparation time for a Europa League final should they both get there. PL announcement expected today.
— Matt Law (@Matt_Law_DT) May 6, 2025

Keith Hackett backs Premier League fixture change decision

Villa will not be happy with this decision - and that is fair enough, given they have had requests of their own rejected ahead of key European fixtures.

However, former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett - speaking exclusively to Tottenham News - believes it is ultimately the correct call.

"I am delighted that a club playing in a final has received the support of the Premier League. This is a sensible decision and outcome," he said.

Fixture	Venue	Date
Crystal Palace	Tottenham Hotspur Stadium	11 May
Aston Villa	Villa Park	16 May
Brighton	Tottenham Hotspur Stadium	25 May

Tottenham's Premier League fixtures

"The supporters appear to be the last in line to know on these issues.

"I am not surprised how long the decision took, which is probably due to some legal challenges and determining if the appropriate arrangements can be made.

"Many outside agencies provide catering staff and security, then there is transport and television.

"I can remember calling a game off at Villa Park with both managers agreeing that it could not go ahead. I was sat with both managers having a cup of tea when Villa's Head Chef approached me and asked why I had called it off.

"He said that he had part cooked 1,000 steaks. I said that mine was medium rare and I can tell you he was not happy!"

Ange Postecoglou

Keith Hackett