On a more serious note I do believe that the EPL is not above "putting their thumb on the scale" to influence the outcome of certain games and team position on the table. Some of the VAR calls and officiating assignments are baffling unless you look at them from that perspective.

However, If there was ever a team that needs to have some really bad officials and some really bad timing on the match scheduling this is one of them. It's boring stuff every game and TV and fans pay huge money for entertaining football. Every villa match this year is going to be tedious and boring. Even to their own fans.