Aston Villa has called for the Premier League to change the rules for European clubs as Unai Emery speaks about a ‘disadvantage’ for their Conference League tie.
Villa host Lille on Thursday night for the first leg of the Europa Conference League quarter-finals.
It is a massive game for Emery’s side as the manager looks to end the Birmingham outfit’s trophy drought in Europe.
Despite being favourites for the competition, if Villa are to go on to win the trophy, they face a difficult task against Lille.
The French giants are fourth in Ligue 1 and unbeaten in their last seven games. Now, Emery fears that Lille have a slight advantage for the quarter-finals due to a schedule change in France.
Unai Emery calls for Premier League schedule rule update
Lille will travel to Villa Park on Thursday well rested. The French side hasn’t played since April 5 due to Ligue 1 allowing fixture changes due to their European match against Villa.
This means the side will have a seven-day rest for the tie compared to Villa’s six. On top of this, Lille will not play domestic football this upcoming weekend meaning they will have another week’s rest for the return leg.
While Emery did not want to make excuses for his side ahead of the quarter-finals, the club has now called for the Premier League to add a similar rule.
Speaking to the Mirror, Emery stated: “Of course, they are focusing on the two legs – and getting time to do it. Always in my career I have accepted these things. I’m going to prepare for the two legs. For us, in between, there is one very important match in the Premier League.
“For me, I have the habit to do it. For the players, they have to accept and understand it. And be mentally focused on each match and each competition.
“So, I don’t think it’s an advantage. For the preparation, it’s better – but an advantage? No. They played last Friday and had five or six days to prepare for this. Then they have a week to prepare for the next.
“We have to accept it within our schedule. Our schedule is to play against Lille at Villa Park, then play on Sunday, travel to Lille and play there. We are going to do it.”
Read more: Aston Villa’s route to Europa Conference League final in Athens.
Time for the Premier League to modernise
As each week passes, more foreign leagues are doing everything in their power to ensure their clubs witness European success.
Ligue 1 are just the latest league to join this trend. Real Madrid, who face champions Man City, hadn’t played a domestic match since March 31 before their first-leg tie against the English side.
If the Premier League wants to continue to see success in Europe, it must give their sides a level playing field.
There is no reason as to why Villa’s upcoming tie against Arsenal could not be rearranged. With both teams in Europe still, it would certainly help both sides overcome their European opposition.
Yet, the Premier League seems to do everything in its power to hinder their European sides.
If they truly want to see success in the continental competitions consistently, the Premier League must modernise for its sides or once again witness their downfall.
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