Aston Villa's Premier League clash with Liverpool may have forced the English Football League to change their play-off dates with a week's notice.

Next month marks the start of the legendary EFL play-off campaigns, with four teams from each of the Championship, League One and League Two going head-to-head for promotion.

Now, the original dates for the first-leg of the respective semi-finals have been altered.

The Championship first-leg semi-final between fifth place and fourth place was originally set for Monday May 13 at 8pm. It will now take place on Sunday May 12 at 2:15pm.

Reports suggest the reason behind this is West Brom playing on the same evening as Aston Villa.

The Baggies currently sit fifth in the Championship, six points clear of dropping out of the top six, and would have originally been playing on that Monday if they finished in that position.

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Aston Villa welcome Liverpool on the same evening, meaning both clubs would have been playing at the same time.

Given both stadiums are just 3.7 miles apart, there may be concerns over strains on local policing.

Ipswich, Southampton, West Brom and Norwich all sit in the play-off spots currently.

The play-off final at Wembley Stadium is set for Sunday May 26.

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Meanwhile, one of League One's semi-final ties has also moved.

Sixth v third was planned to kick-off on Friday May 3 at 8pm. It is now to be played on Saturday May 4 at 3:30pm instead.