Aston Villa v West Ham United
Emirates FA Cup third round, Villa Park, Friday 10 January 2025, 8pm GMT
Referee: Tim Robinson
Assistant Referees: Timothy Wood and Steven Meredith
Fourth Official: Bobby Madley
Tim Robinson has been confirmed as the referee for Friday’s Emirates FA Cup third-round match away at Aston Villa.
One of the Premier League’s newest regular officials, Robinson took charge of his first top-flight match in December 2019, a 1-0 win for Burnley over Newcastle United, and was promoted to Select Group One ahead of the 2023/24 season.
The official from West Sussex refereed 21 top-tier matches last season, giving out 89 yellow cards, but showing zero reds. He will referee a West Ham game for a second time this season, having taken charge of our 1-1 Premier League draw at Fulham in September, while he served as the fourth official for our home games against Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Previously, Robinson took charge of the EFL League One Play-Off final in 2022/23, as Sheffield Wednesday beat Barnsley 1-0 after extra-time at Wembley Stadium.
Timothy Wood and Steven Meredith will serve as the assistant referees at Villa Park.
Both possess extensive experience in the Premier League and across the EFL, with Wood serving in the English top division since the 2019/20 season and Meredith since the end of 2021/22.
The pair run the line in the Premier League regularly, with Wood and Meredith having officiated at 22 and 18 fixtures respectively in all competitions this season, while the duo worked together in the aforementioned 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage in September.
Bobby Madley will work as the fourth official on Friday.
The 39-year-old has served in the same role in 16 matches so far this season, while also taking charge of 14 EFL Championship games.
Emirates FA Cup rules...
There are no replays in the from the Emirates FA Cup first round proper onwards, so if the scores are level after 90 minutes, then 30 minutes of extra-time will be played. If the scores remain level after extra-time, then the winner will be decided by penalties.
Each team will be able to name nine substitutes, of whom five can be used in three opportunities during normal time (excluding any substitutions made at half-time). If extra-time is played, an extra substitution opportunity is added (excluding any substitutions made between full-time and extra-time and during half-time of extra-time).
If a player suffers a concussion (or potential concussion) Clubs are permitted to make one additional substitution in accordance with the relevant IFAB protocol. Any such concussion substitutions are in addition to the five normal substitutions permitted.
Goal Line Technology (GLT) will be in operation for our third-round tie at Villa Park, but Video Assistant Referees (VAR) will only be used from the fifth round onwards, so it will not be in operation in the West Midlands.
Finally, Aston Villa are wearing a special 150th anniversary commemorative kit of black shirts, white shorts and black socks for the visit of West Ham, who will wear our Third kit.
