Aston Villa’s team selection for their Premier League clash with Tottenham is set to come under official scrutiny, after fans reacted angrily to Emery’s decision to field a heavily rotated side while preparing for their Europa League semi-final against Nottingham Forest.
Emery made seven alterations to the eleven that had lost 1-0 to Forest in the first leg, as Villa welcomed Spurs to Villa Park on Sunday. The weakened side were beaten 2-1 and largely dominated throughout, allowing De Zerbi’s Tottenham to escape the relegation zone and rise to 17th.
Fans from numerous clubs — with West Ham supporters among the most vocal — flooded social media with complaints, claiming Emery’s rotation had damaged the fairness of the competition.
With Villa sitting fifth and Champions League qualification all but confirmed, it is clear that overturning the deficit against Forest on Thursday is Emery’s primary concern.
Premier League to Review Villa’s Lineup, Says Keith Hackett
When 25-man squads were introduced in 2010, the Premier League updated its regulations around weakened selections, permitting clubs to choose freely from their registered pool of players. That said, teams are still monitored and cannot call upon multiple academy players outside their senior squad, in order to preserve competitive standards.
According to Football Insider, Villa are bracing for a loss of matchday income next season when work begins on the North Stand at Villa Park — making the financial rewards of Champions League football through a Europa League triumph even more compelling.
Hackett believes the selection will be formally reviewed, though he doubts it will lead to any punishment. In his exclusive comments to Football Insider, he explained that Premier League officials routinely examine lineups and will look into Emery’s choices. He pointed out that fixture rescheduling around big European games is commonplace across the continent, and while administrators will assess whether the rotated side had any bearing on the result, he sympathised with Emery’s position — arguing the Spaniard had to put Thursday’s game first.
Emery’s Response
Villa did not manage a shot on target until Buendia’s 96th-minute consolation, as Tottenham recorded only their second away league win of 2026. Emery stood by his decisions afterwards, suggesting a full-strength side might not have fared any better. He gave credit to Spurs, acknowledging they scored quickly, took control of the first half, and deserved their victory.
