- Aston Villa v Liverpool on 17 May has a new kick-off time
- The Premier League clash is set to be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK
- However, fans have been warned not to plan their trip to Villa Park yet
Liverpool Premier League trip to Aston Villa next month has been given a new kick-off time, but the date itself remains subject to change depending on one result.
Liverpool are scheduled to lock horns with Unai Emery’s side at Villa Park in their final Premier League away game of the season on 17 May.
The game has already been selected for live television coverage, with Sky Sports confirmed to broadcast it in the UK.
Now, there is further clarity on when the game will kick off.
What we know
Liverpool’s visit to Villa Park on Sunday, 17 May, will now kick off at 12:30 pm BST, the club confirmed on Tuesday (28 April).
This is the final Reds game to be switched for television coverage this season.
However, the Reds’ supporters are advised not to finalise travel plans just yet, as one scenario could yet alter the fixture entirely.
Should the Birmingham-based club progress to the UEFA Europa League final, the match would be brought forward to Friday, May 15, with an 8 pm BST kick-off instead.
What it means for Liverpool fans
A Friday night fixture under the lights at Villa Park carries a very different feel to a Sunday lunchtime kick-off, and the implications for travelling supporters are significant.
Liverpool fans planning to make the trip to Birmingham should keep a close eye on Villa’s European campaign over the coming days before confirming any travel arrangements.
Villa are set to face Nottingham Forest in the semi-finals of the Europa League, with the first leg held at the City Ground on Thursday, 30 April.
The return leg is scheduled to be held at Villa Park the following Thursday, 7 May. Therefore, the exact date of Liverpool’s trip to the Midlands will not be confirmed until next Thursday.
The return leg is set for Villa Park on Thursday, May 7, meaning the final confirmation for Liverpool’s trip to the Midlands won’t arrive until next Thursday.
This delay leaves traveling supporters with as little as seven days to finalise their plans. Predictably, the uncertainty has sparked a wave of frustration among the fanbase, with many taking to X (formerly Twitter) to vent their anger over the short notice.
Should Aston Villa overcome Forest, they will face either Braga or SC Freiburg in the final.
The Europa League final is set to be held in Istanbul on 20 May. Therefore, Liverpool will focus on their upcoming trip to Manchester United on Sunday, 3 May, for the time being.
A win against the Red Devils would likely see Arne Slot side. go above them to third place in the Premier League table.
As the squad prepares for their immediate test at Old Trafford on Sunday, May 3, all eyes will simultaneously be on Aston Villa’s European progress.
Whether the Reds head to the Midlands on a Friday night or a Sunday afternoon remains in the hands of the footballing gods leaving fans in a state of limbo until the dust settles on the Europa League semi-finals next Thursday.
