Aston Villa vs Tottenham in serious doubt despite Liverpool game set to go ahead
Don’t wait 30 years – sign up for our daily football email newsletter today!
Aston Villa’s Premier League fixture against Tottenham on Wednesday is reportedly in serious doubt amid an outbreak of coronavirus in the first-team squad.
Villa are set to face Liverpool on Friday night in the FA Cup with that clash still expected to go ahead.
Manager Dean Smith will not be present and Villa will be without their entire first team as well as assistants John Terry, Craig Shakespeare and Richard O'Kelly.
It means they will be relying on their U23s and U18s, who were all tested for the virus on Thursday for the Cup clash to go ahead.
And while that game is still set to go ahead, the Premier League fixture five days later is in doubt.
Sky Sports report there is a feeling among Premier League clubs that there would be an issue with the integrity of the competition if Villa were forced to field a side of youth-team players against Spurs.
It’s believed the outbreak at Aston Villa is much more extensive than it was with Fulham and Newcastle earlier this season.
Aston Villa plan to play U23s vs Liverpool with FA hopeful Covid won't stop cup tie
Sky Sports have been told the outbreak is “rampant” though the club have always segregated a "red zone" within the Bodymoor Heath training ground since the return to play in summer.
Only first-team bubble are allowed in that area, which has remained cordoned off to the junior teams.
"Aston Villa can confirm that the club has closed its Bodymoor Heath training ground after a significant coronavirus outbreak," a Villa statement read.
Get the latest transfer news straight into your inbox!
Want to be on the ball with all of the latest football news?
Well then sign up for the brilliant new Daily Star Sport email newsletter!
From the latest transfer news to the agenda-setting stories, get it all in your email inbox.
How do you sign up?
It only takes a matter of seconds.
Simply type your email address into the box at the top of this article and hit 'subscribe'.
And that's it, job done. You'll receive an email with all of the top news stories every single morning.
You can find out more information on our email newsletter on this link here.
"A large number of first team players and staff returned positive tests after being routinely tested on Monday and immediately went into isolation.
"A second round of testing was carried out immediately and produced more positive results today.
"First team training ahead of tomorrow’s FA Cup match with Liverpool was cancelled.
"Discussions are ongoing between medical representatives of the club, the Football Association and the Premier League."
- Aston Villa FC
- Tottenham Hotspur FC
Source: Read Full Article
