What did the Premier League say?
A statement read: “Aston Villa’s home match against Everton FC, scheduled to be played on Sunday 17 January at 12pm, has been postponed by the Premier League Board.
“Following the rescheduling of Villa’s game against Tottenham Hotspur, which was due to be played last night, a significant number of players and staff remain in isolation. As a result, the Premier League Board has agreed to Aston Villa’s request to postpone their match on Sunday.
“Newcastle United’s postponed match at Aston Villa, which was due to be played on 4 December 2020, has been rescheduled and will now be played on Saturday 23 January at 8pm, live on Sky Sports.
“The Premier League, in consultation with its clubs, has enhanced its COVID-19 protocols, in addition to reimplementing a twice-weekly testing programme as the heath of players and staff remains the priority. The protocols, which strengthen key elements of the existing guidance, came into immediate effect last week.”
How severe is the outbreak?
The club’s Bodymoor Heath training ground was closed as a result of several positive COVID-19 cases last week.
Public Health England guidelines stipulate that those positive with COVID-19 — or those who have been in contact with an infected person — must isolate for at least 10 days after the day of the test.
That means most of Villa’s squad and staff cannot emerge from isolation until Sunday 17 January at the earliest.
Didn’t Villa play in the FA Cup?
Villa fielded a team consisting of under-23 and under-18 players in order to complete their FA Cup tie against Liverpool last week.
Villa lost the match 4-1.
Several Premier League matches have been postponed, however, when one of the teams has suffered multiple positive COVID-19 cases.
How will this impact Villa?
This latest postponement means that Villa will have played three matches fewer than some teams.
These matches will need to be rescheduled later on this season.
What is the latest COVID-19 situation in football?
Footballers were warned to follow the COVID-19 protocols by the government on Wednesday. There has been growing criticism of players’ behaviour in recent weeks as the COVID-19 situation deteriorates across the United Kingdom.
Nigel Huddleston, the minister for sport, tourism and heritage, warned the COVID-19 protocols that apply to elite sport have to be enforced, saying: “COVID secure guidelines exist for football. Footballers must follow them and football authorities enforce them — strictly.”
Later on Wednesday, the FA announced the Women’s FA Cup would remain suspended throughout the latest national COVID-19 lockdown. Earlier in the week, The Athletic revealed that the FA Youth Cup was also to be suspended.
(Photo: VISIONHAUS)
