De Gea left out again as Man Utd get that Friday feeling

Policing concerns over the EDL and Champions League fixture mean United and Villa play first Friday match since 2003

David De Gea
(Image credit: Michael Regan/Getty Images Sport)

There's something of a first tonight for the Premier League when Aston Villa host Manchester United at Villa Park. Friday night football might be a common practice in Germany, France and Spain but England's top flight has never embraced the concept, preferring to play its fixtures any day other than the end of the working week.

The break with the tradition hasn't been brought about by a broadcaster, rather by police concerns ahead of a march by English Defence League through Walsall city centre on Saturday afternoon. That's when the match was originally scheduled but police feared the two elements could be a catalyst for chaos and conveyed those anxieties to the Premier League.

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