Manager Ian Holloway controversially made 10 changes for the game at Villa Park on November 10, arguing he needed to utilise his squad during a three-game week. Holloway was almost vindicated as his team were beaten 3-2 by an 89th-minute goal and he later threatened to resign if punished over the matter. It remains to be seen whether he sticks to his word but he did later temper those remarks by saying he would only step down if chairman Karl Oyston agreed it was in the club's best interest. A statement from the club read: "Blackpool Football Club can confirm the Premier League board has found the club guilty of breaches of Rules B.13 and E.20 in relation to the team fielded by the club in its fixture against Aston Villa on November 10, 2010. "As a result of this breach of rules Blackpool FC have been fined £25,000. "In reaching a decision the [Premier League] board took into account the team fielded by Blackpool in its match against West Ham United on November 13, 2010 and in subsequent league matches." The statement added that the Premier League also took into account Holloway's selection for this month's FA Cup third-round defeat at League One Southampton. Holloway made nine changes for that tie, saying that as his team had little chance of winning the cup the following week's league game against Liverpool had to take priority. Wolves were punished for fielding a below-strength last season but since then the Premier League have introduced a new regulation stipulating that teams must be selected from a 25-man squad. Holloway felt that as he complied with that rule punishment could not be justified, but the Premier League have viewed this to be an extreme case. The statement added: "The board was also mindful of the fact that as recently as June 10, 2010, following the introduction of the league's new homegrown player and squad rules, the clubs considered but ruled out removing Rule E.20 and the board is therefore committed to applying it in such extreme cases."
