As above, reports are suggesting the Premier league have agreed to restart on the 17th, which isn’t even three weeks away.
The extra bonus is that our game against Sheffield United will be what seems the first to kick off, with Manchester City playing Arsenal.
These are apparently the two games in hand.
It seems that it’s a bit of an odd day to choose, being a Wednesday, but it suggests there’s just a massive rush to get games completed as quickly as possible.
To quote the article;
“The two matches are the “games in hand” which will take all 20 clubs up to 29 games played with the remaining 90 fixtures scheduled in a frenetic six-week period, with matches played over seven weekends and two rounds of midweek fixtures, before the league season is completed on the weekend of August 1-2. Each game will be given a live television slot. The FA Cup Final would then be scheduled for the following Saturday, August 8.”
Reading further into the article, here’s the reason for the rush;
“The Premier League had pencilled in June 12 as the date for games to resume but accepted, following protestations from managers, that this was too soon. It was argued by some managers that June 26 was a more realistic date but the clubs were resistant to this because they lose money in rebates to broadcasters for every additional week of delay after July 16, the original end date for the season.”
So of course, it’s all about the money.
Which I suppose is fair enough as it would be the clubs losing out.
Perhaps the other good news is that all the games will be televised.
The article doesn’t expand on that, but you’d expect that to be all the games that were scheduled to be shown live by Sky and BT.
But what about the rest?
Assuming all the other games were only down to be shown as not live, does that mean Sky and BT will be expected to pay extra?
To my mind, there’s no chance of them being shown for free and it seems a win-win for the broadcasters and the Premier league. Given that no-one will be able to attend, you would think there will be massive demand to watch and the only way to get to watch will be to pay?
Unless you know other means, of course (ahem).
In other news, La Ligue will be broadcast for free on the Premier sports channel if you’re a Sky subscriber, beginning June the 8th and lasting for the rest of the month.
Not that I’m overly bothered about that, but it might interest some of you.
There’s another article that confirms fears that playing at home with no support gives no advantage, according to the Bundeslega.
That’s really worrying me.
The Sheffield Utd game is massive, as beating them would mean we’re out the bottom 3 and would hopefully give a psychological advantage.
Us v Sheffield Utd to be first match!!!
Blimey, you’re quick on the draw 🙂
Yep, Wednesday and probably one on Saturday/Sunday too.
And then rapid fire.
Fitness is going to play a major part and with us not having many options realistically, that’s going to be another problem, you would think.
The likes of Citeh won’t be bothered by it at all.
Completely wrong. If anybody was ever in doubt, money rules the game and now, it even rules over people ( and their families ) health and well being. Enjoy your soulless football played in empty stadia. I for one, am done with it and wont be watching.
I know exactly what you mean Steve.
But I won’t be able to resist, I’m afraid and I suspect many will feel the same.
If any of the players or their families were to get Corona, it might have massive implications, but let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.
4 games to be shown on the BBC.
You’d expect ITV to get the same.
We must have been listening to the same news bulletin Badger! Squeaky bum time once again. Will be nice to have something else to focus on for a bit!
I bloody well pray McGinn is fit!!!!
He reckons he’s in good shape.
Someone I know, knows someone who works at BMH. He says the lads have been training really hard and are raring to go.
I miss football but I haven’t missed the soulless Sky / BT funded premier league. I enjoy the fact that without sport, Sky and BT were suffering financially. I always dreamed that the premier elite bubble would eventually burst.
So at the end of the day money controls sport at the risk of health without it’s biggest asset, the fans!
Realistically Villa will be relegated and frankly I couldn’t give a S**T!
Interesting POV, Holte.
It is disappointing that money is all that matters, but we’ve known this for a long time.
Our fate is now in our hands.
Come on your Villains!
Let’s beat Sheff Utd and give us a platform to stay up.
25 games to be shown for free on Sky.
I’d guess via Sky sports mix, which I believe is free for Sky subscribers?
I’m amazed about that, but it doesn’t seem fair to non Sky subscribers.
BT will show 20.
Amazon Prime have 4 games.
ITV don’t get any.
All bow down to the god of mammon!
So cricket decides it would be unwise to restart before the 1st August but it’s OK for football – well the EPL – to restart now; being the contact free sport that it is.
What happened to trace and contact then – anyone in close proximity (with someone testing positive) for more than 15 minutes has to self isolate with their whole family – that should wipe out a few teams – or perhaps football is exempt!
The sensible option is to forget 2019 / 20 season and move on but mammon decrees otherwise.
On this one I’m 100% in Steve’s camp
The free games will be shown on the PICK channel, which I think is available on all platforms (certainly Virgin and Freeview).
You’d expect at least a couple of those to be Villa games, until we get right down to the wire.
At least they’ve thrown us a small bone and I’m still amazed we’ll be getting anything for free.
Pick is available on Sky
Guys, have a question for you. My grandson (poor student) is trying to get a ST refund. He says the AV website states refunds are available but he can’t find out how to apply. Anyone have any info on that? Thanx
Hitch, looks like he’ll just have to wait;
“Email communications will be sent out to supporters, including Claret and Club members, detailing further information and a set of accompanying FAQs. Supporters are kindly asked to ensure that the email address on their account is up-to-date and accessible. This can be checked by logging in to the online account.
Hospitality guests who are members or have purchased individual match packages will also be refunded or provided with an e-voucher. Hospitality staff will be contacting the latter with further details while communications will also be sent out to members.
Please be aware that there are very limited staff available to answer calls to the ticket office so supporters are advised to wait for the email communications and FAQs before contacting the club with any queries.”
Cheers Badger – will let him know
Congratulations to the Villa Ladies on promotion. Fingers crossed the laddies stay up.
Don’t think the laddies are going to stay up Hitch. I didn’t realise you were Scottish;)
Or OLL even 🙂
Have all sorts of ancestry me – the only indisputable fact is that I come from a long line of bas**rds which happens when your female antecedents worked in service downstairs!
Me too. I am Scottish and my great-grandmother serviced two bothers and was married to neither in Dundee.
Ha – Sorry OLL and you Hitch. Hope you are all doing well in this spell. I have to say I’m not looking forward to the footie resumption. I’ve watched a couple of Bundesliga matches and without the crowd it’s just pretty sterile. I guess I might feel different if we weren’t in the mire.
No probs DS. I’m with you on the reopening of football – it’s so artificial. Unfortunately, I doubt whether I’ll be able to resist watching the Villa on Monday!
Confirmed Wolves fixtures
Saturday, June 20, West Ham (a) 5.30pm – Sky Sports
Wednesday, June 24, Bournemouth (h) 6pm – BT Sport
Saturday, June 27, Villa (a) 12.30pm – BT Sport
Confirmed Aston Villa fixtures
Wednesday, June 17, Sheffield United (h) 6pm – Sky Sports
Sunday, June 21, Chelsea (h) 4.15pm – Sky Sports
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Test.. in moderation
Today’s game at Villa park with the Albion was a draw. 2-2
Cheers Badger . Hope back to normally.
Jack Grealish and Keinan Davis scored for the hosts as they twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with the Baggies, for whom Kamil Grosicki and Filip Krovinovic found the back of the net.