Premier League decision impacts Wolves, Aston Villa, West Ham, Everton, Fulham and rivals

The Premier League has announced extensive changes will be made to its Under-21 division, Premier League 2, ahead of the 2023/24 season.

The adjustments will have an impact on West Midlands sides Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers, as well as West Ham United, Everton, Fulham and the rest of the teams in the youth league.

Last campaign, PL2 was split into two different tiers with promotions and relegations taking place between Division 1 and Division 2, but this will no longer be the case from now on.

Instead, PL2 will have a total of 26 clubs, all of which have Category One Academies. These teams will be split up into five separate pots based on finishes over the previous three seasons.

Across 20 matchweeks, sides will play those in their own seeding pot once, as well as three to five teams in all other pots. Results will accumulate to points – as in any usual division.

Once the 20 matches have been played, the top 16 ranked clubs will feature in a single elimination play-off. Opponents will be drawn based on league positions, with first taking on 16th, second taking on 15th, and so on.

Another shift will be the introduction of invites to next season’s Premier League International Cup competition for the top 12 finishers, offering opportunities to play against some of Europe’s best youngsters.

Fixtures for the PL2 will be announced imminently, with the draw being made this week.