Rule change impacting Aston Villa and Everton players this weekend

Aston Villa host Everton in the Premier League tomorrow lunchtime and there is set to be a rule change in place for the clash at Villa Park.

Steven Gerrard's men opened their 2022/23 Premier League season account last weekend with a 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth in average temperatures for this time of year.

But this weekend temperatures in Birmingham are predicted to reach 33c during the Premier League clash.

This is a common theme across the country as another heatwave hits this summer, something which has forced the Premier League to make a key decision impacting all players in the top tier this weekend.

The Premier League have decided to reintroduce drinks breaks for this weekend’s fixtures.

Drinks breaks will be called after 30 minutes in each half of this weekend’s fixtures.

In leagues such as La Liga, drinks breaks are only used in the summer months, with breaks lasting two minutes.

Though, the breaks have come in for criticism, with some feeling they break up play too much, disrupting momentum and giving teams an extra chance to reset.

Referees have also been criticised for allowing breaks to run for too long, with some extending past the two minute mark.

But particularly in the UK, where many players are not used to playing in very high temperatures, safety is the most important aspect.

It’s for that reason the Premier League have reintroduced drinks breaks, though, only temporarily.

The breaks have only been confirmed for the upcoming weekend, with no news on whether they will extend into late August.

The Premier League are likely to take the issue on a game by game basis based on weather forecasts across England.

But we do know Villa will have drinks breaks during their clash with Everton at Villa Park this weekend.