Arsenal vs Aston Villa gets spicier as title rivals call out Premier League over 'favouritism'

Damian Vidagany has called out the Premier League for its demanding Christmas schedule, which will see the Villans play two games away from home off the bounce while Arsenal see both of theirs at the Emirates Stadium

Aston Villa's Director of Football Operations, Damian Vidagany, has raised concerns over the club's fixture schedule this Christmas as they prepare to take on Arsenal.

Villa secured an impressive 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, with Ollie Watkins netting twice in the second-half to overturn Joao Pedro's early strike for Chelsea. However, rather than hosting Nottingham Forest in what would be their 19th match of the campaign, Villa must instead make the trip to north London on Tuesday evening to face table-toppers Arsenal – a side they've already met earlier this month.

This scheduling quirk has left manager Unai Emery baffled, as he told Mirror Football: "The day 19 is not against Forest, which is the first half of the season. This is the only thing I don't understand."

Vidagany has now also voiced his frustration over the peculiar arrangement, which sees Villa beginning the second-half of the season without having faced every opponent at least once. In a post on X, he wrote: "Totally understand our manager.

"Why EPL brings a match day from 2nd half of season before matchday 19 has not a clear explanation. I asked to EPL people and they didn't tell us. So it is a mystery.

"The fact is that willing or not this makes more convenient the fixtures for certain clubs that are not travelling on this very busy Christmas period. I let you take a look which clubs are playing home both last and next match.

"To make us play two away games in less than 72 hours will be never an excuse but we agree that is much better on the recovery side play twice at home and not travel. We are not, for sure, as it is obvious, having any influence. It would be a disgrace if the fixtures become a political territory."

When one social media user posted: "Arsenal, Chelsea, Man Utd, Liverpool all given two home games over Christmas. How interesting," Vidagany replied with: "Random?" accompanied by a tongue-out emoji.

The comments follow a pattern where several traditional 'big six' sides benefited from home fixtures during match week 18, whilst Villa travelled to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea. Manchester United edged past Newcastle United 1-0 at Old Trafford, whilst Arsenal claimed a 2-1 victory against Brighton in north London.

Liverpool also secured a 2-1 triumph over Wolves at Anfield. Notably, all these clubs are scheduled to play at their own grounds again in match week 19.

This Tuesday sees Chelsea host Bournemouth, Arsenal entertain Aston Villa, and Manchester United return to Old Trafford to face Wolves. On Thursday, Liverpool take on Leeds United before the Kop.

As it stands, Arsenal, who are leading the table, have a three-point advantage over Aston Villa, who are in third place, ahead of Tuesday's showdown. Despite the goal difference, it's highly probable that the Gunners would maintain their position above Villa, even if they were to lose.

However, with Manchester City trailing Arsenal by just one point and Pep Guardiola's team set to face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Thursday, Arteta will be acutely aware of the need for his squad to bring their best game against the Villans.