Broadcasters announce first televised Premier League games

Man United’s trip Villa moved to a Friday night due to English Defence League march

Manchester United’s trip to play Aston Villa has been moved to a Friday night due to an English Defence League march taking place on Saturday 15th August. Photograph: Getty
Manchester United’s trip to play Aston Villa has been moved to a Friday night due to an English Defence League march taking place on Saturday 15th August. Photograph: Getty

Sky and BT Sports have announced the first batch of 2015/16 Premier League fixtures to be moved and broadcast live.

BT showed last season’s opener as Louis Van Gaal’s Manchester United tenure began with defeat to Swansea City and the new season will begin at Old Trafford again, with Tottenham Hotspur the visitors on August 8th.

Champions Chelsea begin their title defence against Garry Monk’s men in the evening kick off on Sky, kicking off at 5.30pm.

The first ‘Super Sunday’ of the season sees Arsenal welcome West Ham to the Emirates, while Liverpool return to Stoke and the scene of their 6-1 humiliation on the final day of last campaign.

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Bournemouth fans looking forward to their first away game in the Premier League will have to wait a bit longer for their 530-mile round trip to Anfield, which has been moved to an 8pm kick off on Monday August 17th.

Sky are not introducing Friday night fixtures until the 2016/17 season, however Manchester United’s visit to Villa Park has been moved to a 7.45pm kick off on Friday August 14th due to an English Defence League march taking place in Walsall the following day.

And because United potentially have a Champions League qualifier on Tuesday August 18th the game can’t be moved to the Sunday.

A Premier League statement read: “The second match-round of the 2015-16 season includes Aston Villa v Manchester United scheduled for live broadcast on Sky Sports at 7:45pm on Friday 14 August 2015.

“A Saturday 5:30pm kick-off was initially suggested for this match and West Midlands Police confirmed that, under normal circumstances, that would be acceptable.

“However, due to a planned English Defence League march that will take place in the region on Saturday 15 August, and will require police resource, they requested that the Premier League consider avoiding scheduling the match on that date. Manchester United’s participation in the Champions League, and a potential European match the following Tuesday, means that a Sunday slot could not be scheduled with any certainty.”

Sky Sports Fixtures:

August

Chelsea v Swansea City Sat Aug 8th 5.30pm

Arsenal v West Ham United Sun Aug 9th 1.30pm

Stoke City v Liverpool Sun Aug 9th 4pm

West Bromwich Albion v Manchester City Mon Aug 10th 8pm

Aston Villa v Manchester United Fri Aug 14th 7.45pm

Crystal Palace v Arsenal Sun Aug 16th 1.30pm

Manchester City v Chelsea Sun Aug 16th 4pm

Liverpool v Bournemouth Mon Aug 17th 8pm

West Bromwich Albion v Chelsea Sun Aug 23rd 1.30pm

Everton v Manchester City Sun Aug 23rd 4pm

Arsenal v Liverpool Mon Aug 24th 8pm

Tottenham Hotspur v Everton Sat Aug 29th 5.30pm

Southampton v Norwich City Sun Aug 30th 1.30pm

Swansea City v Manchester United Sun Aug 30th 4pm

September

Manchester United v Liverpool Sat Sep 12th 5.30pm

Sunderland v Tottenham Hotspur Sun Sep 13th 1.30pm

Leicester City v Aston Villa Sun Sep 13th4pm

West Ham United v Newcastle United Mon Sep 14th 8pm

Manchester City v West Ham United Sat Sep 19th 5.30pm

Tottenham Hotspur v Crystal Palace Sun Sep 20th 1.30pm

Southampton v Manchester United Sun Sep 20th 4pm

Newcastle United v Chelsea Sat Sep 26th 5.30pm

Watford v Crystal Palace Sun Sep 27th 4pm

West Bromwich Albion v Everton Mon Sep 28th 8pm

BT/Setanta fixtures:

August

Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur Sat Aug 8th 12.45pm

Southampton v Everton Sat Aug 15th 12.45pm

Manchester v United Newcastle United Sat Aug 22nd 12.45pm

September

Newcastle United v Arsenal Sat Aug 29th 12.45pm

Everton v Chelsea Sat Sep 12th 12.45pm

Chelsea v Arsenal Sat Sep 19th 12.45pm

Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City Sat Sep 26th 12.45pm