Premier League announces Aston Villa vs Liverpool change as debut set
The Premier League have announced that Aston Villa’s midweek game against title-chasing Liverpool will see the introduction of the new and final Nike match-ball of the season.
Villa host the Reds at Villa Park on Wednesday night as they look to close the gap on the European positions. Unai Emery’s men currently sit in ninth place in the title, but are just five pointe adrift of Bournemouth in fifth position.
As well as giving Villa the chance to close that gap to just two points, it will also be a first chance to see the new ball in action.
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The Premier League have confirmed that the new Nike Flight Ball will be used for games between now and the end of the 2024/25 Premier League season. The design is a re-imagined one of the iconic Nike Total 90s football, and has been designed to celebrate the sportswear company’s 25th year of being the official ball supplier of the Premier League.
In a statement on their website, the Premier League outlined the technology included in the modern-day version of the ball. “Built with Aerowsculpt technology with grooves debased into the casing, this allows the air to travel seamlessly around the ball delivering truer flight,” they said. “It is crafted with shorter seem length to allow for a sweeter touch.”
They added: “The Nike Flight Premier League ball will make its debut appearance this season on Wednesday 19 February, when Aston Villa host Liverpool.”
The game against Liverpool has been moved to midweek due to the Reds’ involvement in the Carabao Cup final on March 16. Villa will therefore have a free weekend when that game comes around.
Following the match against Liverpool, Villa face what could be a crucial game in the race for Champions League football at the weekend as they host Chelsea on Saturday (5.30pm kick-off). The Blues currently sit in sixth place in the Premier League table.
