Aston Villa’s clash against Everton has been postponed owing to the current COVID-19 outbreak at the Midlands club, the Premier League have confirmed.
Villa’s first-team squad have been in isolation after nine players and five staff members tested positive for coronavirus – with more than 100,000 people dying from the deadly disease since it first appeared in the country almost a year ago.
Aston Villa’s game against Newcastle this weekend has been postponed
The game was moved from Saturday evening to Sunday lunchtime as part of a fixtures rejig but the league said on Thursday morning that the fixture would not go ahead.
“Aston Villas home match against Everton FC, scheduled to be played on Sunday 17 January at 12pm, has been postponed by the Premier League Board,” a Premier League statement read.
“Following the rescheduling of Villas 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 Villas request to postpone their match on Sunday.
“Newcastle Uniteds 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.
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“The protocols, which strengthen key elements of the existing guidance, came into immediate effect last week.”
A Villa club statement added: “The Club would like to express its immense gratitude to the medical experts who have helped us to get a significant COVID-19 outbreak under control, as well as the Premier League board and our fellow clubs for their understanding during this period.
“We expect that members of the first team squad and staff who are healthy and safe to return to training will do so on Sunday when the isolation protocols will have been observed.
“The Club continues to wish all those affected by the virus a speedy recovery.“Our Premier League fixture with Newcastle United, which was postponed as a result of a similar outbreak at their training ground, will now take place on Saturday, January 23 at 8pm.”