Chelsea's Barclays Premier League match at home to Aston Villa has been brought forward due to the west Londoners' involvement in the UEFA Super Cup, the Premier League has confirmed.
Europa League champions Chelsea were scheduled to take on Villa on Saturday, August 31 but now the match will be played 10 days earlier on August 21 as the Blues tackle Bayern Munich in Prague on Friday, August 30.
That contest pits former Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho against ex-Barcelona head coach Pep Guardiola, who is now at Bayern and was rumoured to be Roman Abramovich's favourite for the Chelsea job before his move to Munich was confirmed.
It means Chelsea, who open the season on August 18 against Hull, will play two home games in four days before travelling to Premier League champions Manchester United on August 26.
The Premier League wrote on Twitter: "Chelsea v Aston Villa will now take place on Wednesday August 21 at 1945 BST. Chelsea v Aston Villa has been moved from August 31 because of the Blues' participation in the UEFA Super Cup on August 30."
Source: PA
