08/05/2025

THURSDAY | MAY 8, 2025

30

SPORTS

Villans ‘not happy’ Tottenham match brought forward by two days due to Spurs potentially playing in the Europa League final A STON VILLA bosses insist they are “not happy” about their Premier League match against Tottenham being brought forward two days to assist the Londoners’ preparations for a potential Europa League final appearance. Spurs’ request to bring the match forward from its original date of May 18 to May 16 has been granted by the Premier League, with Ange Postecoglou’s side in a strong position to reach the continental final on May 21. Saturday, May 17 were thwarted because of the clash with the FA Cup final, Vidagany said. Tottenham lead their Europa League semifinal against Bodo/Glimt 3-1 on aggregate heading into Friday’s second leg (3am Malaysian time). Ű BY JAMIE GARDNER TEAM. We need you on Friday. Always Up the Villa!!!”

“Hopefully in the future all of them (the Premier League and the Football Association) would remind the clear prejudice in this case to Villa fans and will be consistent and equally supportive if we need changes to help us in Europe (if hopefully we are there),” Vidagany added. “We didn’t feel this support last season or this one. European football is not only demanding for English clubs on the verge of the finals.” Earlier this season, Villa had a rearranged Premier League fixture against Liverpool moved into a midweek slot that they thought would be free after avoiding a playoff round in the Champions League. Villa’s director of football Monchi echoed Vidagany’s sentiments, adding on his own X account: “The change of the fixture of Tottenham is not what we wanted. We were not entitled to keep it and we got the least damaging alternative. “Our fans didn’t deserve but we tried hard to keep the match to protect the most important for us: YOU and OUR

If they progress they could well find themselves up against Manchester United in the final, with the Red Devils 3-0 up in their tie against Athletic Bilbao ahead of the home leg. Leaving Spurs’ match where it was would have given United a major advantage in terms of rest, with their league game against Chelsea already scheduled for May 16. – The Independent

Villa’s director of football operations Damian Vidagany said his club had reluctantly accepted the change, and hoped the “clear prejudice” against Villa in this decision would be remembered should they need assistance with fixture scheduling due to European football next season. “Fixture changed and honestly, not happy,” he wrote on X . “But it could be even worst (sic). We really pushed – everyone in the club at different levels – with solid and fair grounds to protect our fans (our main task and duty) and keep the Spurs match on Sunday. Nothing against Spurs.” Vidagany said that considering the alternatives were to bring the game forward even earlier to Wednesday or Thursday, playing on Friday was the least “damaging” they could get. Efforts to bring the match forward to

07/05/2025 (WED)

5963/2025

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Draw Date: 07/05/25 (Wed)

Draw No: 5910/25 Venue: WISMA GENTING, KL

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Watford sack Cleverley

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WATFORD have sacked head coach Tom Cleverley following a disappointing 14th place finish in the Sky Bet Championship. The Hornets have announced that the 35 year-old, who was appointed on a permanent basis last summer after a successful spell in interim charge, has departed with the search for a replacement now under way. Sporting Director Gian Luca Nani told the club’s official website: “We thank Tom for his service – not just in his role as head coach, but for everything he has given Watford as a player and member of staff. “But the time has come for a change and to build on what we believe is a young and talented squad that will have benefitted from the experience of the Championship this season.” Cleverley initially took up the reins at Vicarage Road in March last year after Valerien Ismael’s exit in the wake of a run of 10 league games which yielded only one win. The former Manchester United trainee, who also had spells at Everton and Watford –

for whom he made 147 appearances – before retiring through injury at the age of 33 in 2023, guided Watford to a 15th-place finish. However, hopes of a promotion drive this season evaporated after a poor conclusion to the campaign saw the Hornets lose seven of their last 11 games to slip 11 points adrift of the playoff places. Nani continued: “It has been a privilege to work closely with Tom, to understand how he sees the game and his enthusiasm for everything here. He deserves to be recognised for this and I’m sure he will have a bright future in the game. “Tom will always be part of Watford in recognition of all that he has achieved over so many years.” Cleverley’s departure leaves the club looking for an 18th permanent boss since Gianfranco Zola left in December 2013. A club statement added:“There will be no further club comment until a new appointment has been made.” – The Independent

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