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Football London
Football London
Sport
Bobby Vincent

Why Chelsea's clash with Man City is on at same time as Manchester United vs Aston Villa

Chelsea's clash with Manchester City is on at the same time as Manchester United's meeting with Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon.

Both Premier League games kick off at 12:30pm on Saturday afternoon, but only the Blues' match has been selected for television coverage.

Chelsea's home match with Man City will be shown live on BT Sport, while Man United's game with Aston Villa will not be broadcasted on live TV in the UK. It is an unusual scenario and not something that happens often in the English top flight.

The reason United's game at Old Trafford has been rescheduled is because of The Courteeners' music concert that is taking place in Manchester on the same day.

United confirmed the time change earlier this month, where they wrote: "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."

This will not have an impact on Chelsea's supporters too much, but some United fans have been left furious with the decision.

Some Manchester United fans are annoyed with their match missing out on a television slot (Twitter)
Some Manchester United fans are annoyed with their match missing out on a television slot (Twitter)
Some Manchester United fans are annoyed with their match missing out on a television slot (Twitter)

Chelsea will be determined to get one over on City in one of the early kick-offs on Saturday afternoon and possibly extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table.

However, Thomas Tuchel will be without Mason Mount and Christian Pulisic for the clash, with the forward duo missing through respective injury problems.

Edouard Mendy, though, will return to the starting XI in place of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Tuchel confirmed on Friday afternoon.

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