Tottenham Hotspur is reportedly seeking to reschedule their upcoming Premier League match against Aston Villa. This request is being made with a potential Europa League final appearance in mind, aiming to gain a scheduling advantage.
The fixture is currently scheduled for Sunday, May 18, and is one of Spurs` final league games of the season.
This date falls just three days before the Europa League final, set to be held in Bilbao, Spain. Tottenham`s manager, Ange Postecoglou, and his squad must first overcome Bodo/Glimt in the semi-finals to reach the final.
Club insiders emphasize that these forward-thinking plans are not a sign of arrogance and that the team fully respects their semi-final opponents, Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt.
Discussions are underway with the Premier League to arrange a new date, primarily to provide supporters with sufficient notice for travel and other arrangements should the change be approved.
The potential new date is still under consideration, but sources indicate it would not be Friday, May 16, even if all relevant parties agree to the rescheduling.
Tottenham released a statement confirming discussions with the Premier League about altering the Aston Villa match date, currently set for May 18.
They added that more details would be released later.
For Tottenham, success in the Europa League is crucial, especially after a disappointing Premier League season where they currently sit in 16th position.
The outcome of the Europa League campaign could also significantly impact manager Ange Postecoglou`s future at the club; failure to win the competition might put his job at risk.
Bodo/Glimt have demonstrated their strength, having eliminated Lazio in the previous round and secured a notable win against Olympiacos earlier in the competition.
Tottenham will first play Bodo/Glimt at home in the semi-final first leg on Thursday, followed by the return match in Norway a week later.
Tottenham fan brings along his puppet to watch the match
The other Europa League semi-final tie features Manchester United against Athletic Bilbao.
Winning the Europa League would not only end Tottenham`s 17-year trophy drought but also secure qualification for the prestigious Champions League.
