Stuart Attwell has been removed as the referee for Aston Villa's Premier League clash with Liverpool on Wednesday night in a last-minute change.
The 42-year-old has now been replaced by Craig Pawson.
Pawson was initially scheduled to take charge of the Championship fixture between Leeds United and Sunderland AFC at Elland Road on Monday evening.
However, he was replaced by Attwell last minute after fans questioned whether the decision was based on Pawson's reported fandom of Sheffield United.
But the UK Mirror reports that it is purely down to scheduling and not due to a conflict of interest.
Pawson will instead officiate Villa's match against Liverpool at Villa Park.
Liverpool are looking to extend their seven-point lead over Arsenal at the top of the table.
Arne Slot's men have won 18 of their 25 matches in the league this season thus far, with their only defeat coming at the hands of Nottingham Forest back in September.
Meanwhile, at ninth in the standings, Villa are hopeful of keeping their European dreams alive for the 2025/26 campaign, sitting just five points from Europa League qualification and six from the Champions League.
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