Aston Villa have raised concerns with refereeing body Pro Ref over new Premier League rules regarding player injuries and substitutions.
The Birmingham club, who play in the top division of English football, are not the only Premier League side to raise concerns with match officials this season. Daily Mail Sport understands other top-flight clubs share the feeling that referees are failing to use sufficient judgment to determine when a player is genuinely injured and when he is wasting time.
The dispute centres on new touchline rules introduced for the current campaign. Under the updated regulations, any player who receives medical attention on the pitch must leave the playing surface and remain on the touchline for 60 seconds, leaving their team reduced to ten players for that period.
Strict timing has also been introduced for player substitutions. If a substituted player takes longer than ten seconds to leave the field, his replacement is not allowed to enter until the first break in play after a full minute has elapsed.
New touchline rules and squad performance
The complaint comes as manager Unai Emery tries to kickstart Villa's domestic campaign. Unai Emery's men are still searching for their first Premier League win and first goal of the season, although they got off the mark in European competition with a victory at Belgian side Club Brugge in the UEFA Champions League during the week.
Emery has been integrating several new players into his squad following a busy summer transfer window. One of the club's most eye-catching signings was Alejandro Garnacho, who arrived on an initial loan deal from Chelsea just days after Morgan Rogers moved in the opposite direction for £117million.
Garnacho, an Argentine winger who previously played for Manchester United, has struggled to rediscover the form of his early days at Old Trafford. Emery needs to see more from the 22-year-old forward, who has featured for only 31 minutes so far this season.
Emery calls for daily consistency
Despite the player's slow start in the Midlands, the Spanish manager expressed confidence in Garnacho's work ethic and commitment during training.
Emery said: "His attitude is positive. Now he needs time and hard work every day and he is showing it. It's most important to be consistent and demanding through his attitude, and then eventually he will achieve his best level."
