Why Aston Villa vs Tottenham is kicking off at strange late time this Sunday

Among a variety of strange Premier League kick-off times this weekend, Aston Villa vs Tottenham has a weird one too.

Villa will hope to deliver a potential killer blow to relegation-threatened Spurs in a crucial top-flight clash for both sides.

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Unai Emery‘s side will want to fend off a late challenge for Champions League football, while Roberto De Zerbi‘s men must win to make sure they don’t slip ever closer to a drop to the Championship.

It’s going to be a tense one and fans that want to watch could be caught out by the unusual start time in Birmingham…

Why is Aston Villa vs Tottenham kicking off at 7pm on Sunday?

Aston Villa vs Tottenham will kick off at 7pm on Sunday evening.

Typically, on Sundays, Premier League fixtures will be scheduled for 2pm and 4:30pm in the afternoon.

However, a change has been made to put the game at Villa Park at 7pm, due to it having to be moved from 12:30pm on Saturday.

Spurs originally announced in March: “Our visit to Villa Park on Saturday 2 May now has a new kick-off time of 12.30pm and will be live on TNT Sports.”

But their statement included: “Please note, this match will move to 7pm on Sunday 3 May should Aston Villa reach the UEFA Europa League semi-finals.”

And Emery’s side went on to beat Bologna 7-1 on aggregate in their quarter-final to set up a meeting with Nottingham Forest in the semis of the Europa League.

That game takes place this Thursday, meaning the original Saturday early kick-off would have been too quick of a turnaround.

As the action is being broadcast live on TNT Sports, they have used their 7pm slot to change the game to late on Sunday.

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talkSPORT will have live coverage of the game, with commentary coming from Sam Matterface and ex-Liverpool star Charlie Adam.

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream. 

You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

Multiple changes

As mentioned, the kick-off change for this game is one of a few strange start times in the Premier League this weekend.

Man United vs Liverpool had their blockbuster meeting moved an hour earlier than usual to 3:30pm on Sunday.

Meanwhile, with Monday being a bank holiday, there’s a 3pm kick-off on a weekday, as Chelsea take on Nottingham Forest.