Chelsea manager Frank Lampard questions fairness of Christmas schedule

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has criticised the Premier League's congested Christmas fixture schedule, with his side preparing to play two games in the space of three days over the festive period.

The Blues travel to Arsenal on Boxing Day for a 5:30pm kick off, before hosting Aston Villa on Monday 28 December at the same time, meaning there will be less than 48 hours between their two fixtures.

Villa, Manchester City, Everton, Leicester and Palace also also face the prospect of two games in three days. However, Chelsea's top four rivals Manchester United, Tottenham and Liverpool are afforded an extra day's recovery.

"Manchester United, Tottenham, Liverpool play two games in three or four days," Lampard said (via Goal). "It's counterproductive for the quality of the Premier League, it's a risk for players if they are going to play both games at top-end elite sport, everybody knows that.

"And I know clearly what happened with this one as well; the game's being broadcast live as they all are now. And we play Arsenal on Boxing Day, and our game with Man City now has been pushed to the Sunday [January 3].

"So the schedule meant that we couldn't play, and Aston Villa also wanted to play on the Tuesday, they wanted an extra day, and so did we. But we got overruled by both the Premier League and the broadcasters.

"I don't see how it's a fair playing field, I think it's wrong and it's not going to be the best for the players that play at the top level. Don't get me wrong, Aston Villa have the same problem. Us playing them, we'll both have the same problems.

"But I'm just saying we are not getting the same rest period that other teams are getting. It's not good even for the players to go out and train let alone play to a high level of 90 minutes. Everybody in the Premier League knows that."