Europa League disciplinary action leads to additional setback for Crystal Palace, following their elimination, with the Premier League garnering controversy over its subsequent decision.
The Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Aston Villa, originally scheduled for Friday, August 29th, has been moved to a 7pm Sunday, August 31st kick-off. This change was made to accommodate fixture scheduling considerations, although the exact reason was not specified in the announcement. The game will still be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
For Crystal Palace fans making the over-200-mile round trip from Selhurst Park to Villa Park, the late evening kick-off presents several challenges. Coaches will depart from Selhurst Park at 12:30pm BST to ensure fans arrive in time for the match, meaning a long day of travel plus the match itself. The late finish combined with the long journey home means supporters will likely return late at night after a demanding 400+ mile round trip, potentially causing fatigue or logistical difficulties. Ticket prices for the coach travel are £40 per person, making the combined cost of travel and attendance a significant commitment for fans.
Meanwhile, off the field, Crystal Palace is facing some turbulent times. The rejection of their CAS appeal confirmed the club's demotion to the Europa Conference League for the upcoming season. This decision comes as the club is reportedly in talks with both Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal over a potential sale of Eberechi Eze. If one or both deals go through, Crystal Palace will be in dire shape ahead of their season opener at Chelsea this weekend.
On a brighter note, Crystal Palace recently secured a surprise victory over Liverpool to win the Community Shield on Sunday. The club will face either Fredrikstad or Midtjylland in the Europa Conference League on August 28th.
In other news, Liverpool have reportedly agreed terms with Palace captain Marc Guehi over a move to Anfield. The club's transfer activities continue to shape the team's prospects for the upcoming season.
[1] Sky Sports. (2023). Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa rescheduled. Retrieved from https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11681/12219468/crystal-palace-vs-aston-villa-rescheduled
[2] BBC Sport. (2023). Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa: Coach travel details for fans. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59164968
- With the rescheduling of the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Aston Villa from Friday to Sunday, fans of Crystal Palace may find themselves watching European-leagues action the day before, as Crystal Palace faces either Fredrikstad or Midtjylland in the Europa Conference League on August 28th.
- As Crystal Palace prepares for the upcoming season, they have reportedly agreed terms with Liverpool for the transfer of Palace captain Marc Guehi, signifying a significant shift in the European-leagues landscape for the Premier League team.
