Time of Manchester United v Aston Villa Premier League game rearranged

Manchester United have confirmed their home game against Aston Villa later this month has been moved to an earlier time slot.

An official statement released on Thursday afternoon said: “Our home match against Aston Villa on 25 September has been brought forward to a 12.30 BST kick-off, following a request from Trafford Council Safety Advisory Group to move the game due to the Courteeners concert at Lancashire Cricket Club, Emirates Old Trafford, on the same day.

“This request was supported by Greater Manchester Police and TfGM to avoid significant crowd, traffic and operational issues locally.

“We regret any disruption that this may cause around our supporters’ plans for the day.”

That means the game will take place at the same time as Chelsea v Manchester City and the Villa clash is not to be shown live on TV in the UK, although as the game was originally scheduled to kick off at 3pm, it would not have been broadcast live anyway.

United won this fixture 2-1 last season, with Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba netting for the hosts, to cancel out Bertrand Traore’s strike for the visitors.

The game is sandwiched in between two cup fixtures for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, who play West Ham United in the League Cup on 22nd September, a week before hosting Villarreal in the Champions League.

United kick off a busy September this weekend when Newcastle United come to Old Trafford, and three days later they travel to Switzerland to face Young Boys in the Champions League.