Aston Villa warn Premier League of new injury rule's impact

Aston Villa have formally complained to referees' chiefs about new injury and substitution rules that force a player receiving medical attention to leave the pitch for 60 seconds, reducing the side to ten, and delay a substitute’s entry if the outgoing player lingers.

New injury and substitution rules

Any player who receives medical attention on the pitch must exit and remain on the touchline for a full minute, meaning the team plays with ten men for that period. The regulation also states that if a substituted player takes more than ten seconds to leave, his replacement cannot enter until the next break in play after a minute has passed.

These changes aim to curb time‑wasting but could disrupt tactical plans, especially in tightly contested matches where a brief numerical disadvantage may prove decisive.

Clubs’ reaction and broader concerns

Sport Villa are not alone; several Premier League clubs have approached the refereeing body Pro Ref this term to voice similar worries. The feeling among these clubs is that referees are not using sufficient judgment to determine when a player is genuinely injured and when he is wasting time.

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Unai Emery’s men are hunting their first Premier League win and goal of the season after a Champions League start at Club Brugge, adding pressure to adapt quickly to the new protocols.

One of Villa’s marquee summer signings, 22‑year‑old Alejandro Garnacho, arrived on an initial loan from Chelsea after Morgan Rogers moved the opposite way for £117 million. Garnacho has struggled to rediscover his early Manchester United form and has logged only 31 minutes of action so far.

Emery said: “His attitude is positive. Now he needs time and hard work every day and he is showing it. It’s most important to be consistent and demanding through his attitude, and then eventually he will achieve his best level.”

The clubs plan to maintain pressure on Pro Ref, hoping the governing body will reconsider the strict timing clauses before they affect league outcomes.