Chelsea’s trip to face Aston Villa has once again left their fans in disarray after another crucial away trip was moved to a strange kick-off time.
The Blues face a crucial week in their race to secure European football next season with two successive away days in one week.
The Stamford Bridge side are hoping to bounce back from their 1-0 FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City at Wembley.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side now travel across London to take on rivals Arsenal, live and exclusively on talkSPORT, on Tuesday.
Chelsea next travel to the West Midlands on Saturday evening, but at a rearranged kick-off time, 8pm at Villa Park.
Why is Villa vs Chelsea at 8 p.m.?
Villa’s clash with the Blues has been moved to Saturday night’s kick-off after being picked for live coverage by TNT Sports.
Under the current Premier League broadcast deal, TNT Sports fills the Saturday 12:30 slot with Package A.
Liverpool’s trip to West Ham will already be scheduled during this slot.
The 3pm blackout rule prevents Chelsea from being shown in the afternoon, with Sky Sports occupying the 5.30pm window.
Sky will broadcast Everton’s clash with Brentford in the early evening, with TNT instead taking the 8pm slot to avoid competition.
This is the time TNT moved some live matches if the clubs involved played a Champions League away match earlier in the week.
However, Chelsea fans have every right to be irritated by another difficult away trip for supporters this season.
The club saw their 2-2 draw against Sheffield United earlier this month moved to 5.30pm on a Sunday after 1.30pm.
Chelsea’s FA Cup meeting with Leicester also came at an unusual time, with Pochettino’s side also involved in the only match on Christmas Eve.
Aston Villa v Chelsea: talkSPORT coverage
This Premier League clash will take place on Saturday April 27.
talkSPORT will have live and exclusive coverage from Villa Park presented by Faye Carruthers.
The comment comes from Joe Shennan and former England defender Micky Gray.
Chelsea’s trip to face Aston Villa has once again left their fans in disarray after another crucial away trip was moved to a strange kick-off time.
The Blues face a crucial week in their race to secure European football next season with two successive away days in one week.
The Stamford Bridge side are hoping to bounce back from their 1-0 FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City at Wembley.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side now travel across London to take on rivals Arsenal, live and exclusively on talkSPORT, on Tuesday.
Chelsea next travel to the West Midlands on Saturday evening, but at a rearranged kick-off time, 8pm at Villa Park.
Why is Villa vs Chelsea at 8 p.m.?
Villa’s clash with the Blues has been moved to Saturday night’s kick-off after being picked for live coverage by TNT Sports.
Under the current Premier League broadcast deal, TNT Sports fills the Saturday 12:30 slot with Package A.
Liverpool’s trip to West Ham will already be scheduled during this slot.
The 3pm blackout rule prevents Chelsea from being shown in the afternoon, with Sky Sports occupying the 5.30pm window.
Sky will broadcast Everton’s clash with Brentford in the early evening, with TNT instead taking the 8pm slot to avoid competition.
This is the time TNT moved some live matches if the clubs involved played a Champions League away match earlier in the week.
However, Chelsea fans have every right to be irritated by another difficult away trip for supporters this season.
The club saw their 2-2 draw against Sheffield United earlier this month moved to 5.30pm on a Sunday after 1.30pm.
Chelsea’s FA Cup meeting with Leicester also came at an unusual time, with Pochettino’s side also involved in the only match on Christmas Eve.
Aston Villa v Chelsea: talkSPORT coverage
This Premier League clash will take place on Saturday April 27.
talkSPORT will have live and exclusive coverage from Villa Park presented by Faye Carruthers.
The comment comes from Joe Shennan and former England defender Micky Gray.