Fixtures 2021/22: Aston Villa First At The Vic!

Watford’s return to the Premier League will begin at home as the Hornets take on Aston Villa on the opening day, Saturday August 14.

Xisco Munoz’s Golden Boys will seek to replicate their 3-0 victory from the 2019/20 campaign, when Ismaïla Sarr and Troy Deeney were on the scoresheet.

This fixture was also the penultimate home game of the Hornets’ first season back in the Premier League in 2015/16. Almen Abdi scored a free-kick and Troy Deeney grabbed a brace in a thrilling 3-2 victory at Vicarage Road.

Brighton, who visited The Vic on the opening day in consecutive years in 2018/19 and 2019/20, will now be the hosts for the second week of the 2021/22 season, when Watford travel to the coast on Saturday August 21.

August’s final fixture will be in North London, as Watford face Tottenham for only the second time at their new stadium.

Watford haven’t been to Elland Road in six years, but will do so on Saturday October 2 to take on Leeds United. There are fond memories from the last clash in Yorkshire which saw a five-goal thriller; Matej Vydra’s late goal sealing all three points and a 3-2 win.

The busy Christmas schedule begins with a trip to fellow promoted side Brentford on Saturday December 11. In midweek Burnley will entertain the Hornets at Turf Moor on Tuesday December 14, before a home fixture with Crystal Palace on Saturday December 18.

It’s away for Boxing Day; Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Molineux will be the venue for the calendar’s festive fixture, and a return to home comforts two days later when West Ham make the short trip to Vicarage Road on Tuesday December 28.

A home meeting with Tottenham Hotspur on New Year’s Day kicks off 2022, before an FA Cup third round fixture as usual the following Saturday.

There are three games in May to close out the 2021/22 campaign. First, an away fixture with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday May 7, then Watford’s final home game against Leicester City on Sunday May 15. The final fixture, set to be played on Sunday May 22, will be at Stamford Bridge against European champions Chelsea.

All fixtures are subject to change and may be rescheduled due to cup competitions and international fixtures.

For example, Tottenham Hotspur's participation in the inaugural Europa Conference League may mean our away fixture (currently scheduled for Saturday August 28) will change.

It has been agreed that all Round 37 matches of the Premier League will currently be scheduled for Sunday May 15 at 3pm to allow for a standalone FA Cup Final on Saturday May 14, and the kick-off time for all matches on the final day of the season will be 4pm.

Premier League broadcast selections for August and September are expected to be concluded by Monday July 5.

Watford’s schedule of pre-season friendlies starts on Saturday July 24 when West Bromwich Albion travel to Vicarage Road. For the full pre-season fixture list, click HERE.