Aston Villa have contacted refereeing chiefs to voice concerns over new injury and substitution rules being enforced in the Premier League this season.
Under the regulations, any player who receives medical treatment on the pitch must leave the field and wait on the touchline for 60 seconds before being allowed to return.
That temporarily leaves the affected team with only 10 players, regardless of whether the injury is serious or the treatment was necessary.
Another rule states that a player who takes longer than 10 seconds to leave the pitch after being substituted risks delaying the arrival of his replacement.
In that scenario, the substitute cannot enter until the first break in play after 60 seconds have passed.
Villa, according to the Daily Mail, believe officials must show greater discretion when applying both measures, particularly when attempting to distinguish between genuine injuries and deliberate time-wasting.
The Midlands club are not alone in questioning the implementation of the rules, with reports suggesting other Premier League sides have also approached refereeing body Pro Ref during the opening weeks of the campaign.
There is a feeling among those clubs that teams can be unfairly punished when a player requires legitimate medical assistance or is unable to leave the pitch quickly because of an injury.
The concerns have emerged as Unai Emery attempts to guide Villa through a difficult beginning to their domestic campaign.
His side are still searching for their first Premier League victory and have not yet scored in the competition this season.
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Villa did at least find their shooting boots in Europe, getting off the mark in the Champions League during their midweek trip to Club Brugge.
Emery will now hope that result provides a platform for an improvement in the Premier League, where Villa need their attacking players to begin delivering.
Alejandro Garnacho is among those the Spanish manager will be looking towards after the winger completed an eye-catching summer move from Chelsea.
The 22-year-old joined Villa on an initial loan just days after Morgan Rogers travelled in the opposite direction in a blockbuster £117million transfer.
Garnacho has so far been restricted to only 31 minutes of action as he attempts to rediscover the exciting form that marked his breakthrough at Manchester United.
His performances had dipped after those encouraging early years at Old Trafford, leaving Emery with the task of rebuilding the Argentina international’s confidence and sharpening his game.
The Villa boss insists Garnacho has responded positively behind the scenes but accepts that supporters may need to remain patient before seeing him return to his peak.
"His attitude is positive. Now he needs time and hard work every day and he is showing it," Emery said.
"It's most important to be consistent and demanding through his attitude, and then eventually he will achieve his best level."
Villa face Nottingham Forest at home today (3pm).
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