The Premier League is considering a late rule change to protect players from extreme heat during the final day of the season. With temperatures soaring above 30 degrees Celsius in parts of the UK, mandatory drinks breaks could be enforced for all matches, including Aston Villa's clash with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
Heatwave Prompts Safety Measures
According to reports from Sky Sports via The Mirror, the league may introduce water breaks if the temperature is hotter than 30 degrees before kick-off. All final day fixtures are scheduled for 4pm on Sunday, with Pep Guardiola's last match in charge of City adding extra significance to the encounter.
Previous Precedents
This would not be the first time such breaks have been used in the Premier League. They were introduced during the delayed 2019/20 season, which took place in the summer due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Water breaks also featured at the start of the 2022/23 campaign.
High Stakes on Final Day
Beyond the weather, there is much at stake across the league, with European qualification spots and the final relegation place yet to be decided. Aston Villa's match against Manchester City could have significant implications for both clubs.
Fans can follow all the latest updates through BirminghamLive's dedicated Aston Villa coverage, including daily newsletters, WhatsApp updates, and the Claret and Blue podcast.
