Villa closed training ground last week amid outbreak affecting a large number of first team; club's second Premier League game in a row called off amid Covid issues; Villa plan to reopen facilities on Sunday; Villa vs Newcastle rearranged for January 23, live on Sky Sports
Thursday 14 January 2021 13:51, UK
Aston Villa's Premier League match versus Everton on Sunday has been postponed due to an ongoing coronavirus outbreak at the club.
Villa made a request to the Premier League to call off the game due to the outbreak - which forced them to close their Bodymoor Heath training ground last week - as a "significant" number of their players and staff remain in isolation.
The club's fixture against Tottenham, scheduled to take place on Wednesday, was also called off, with Spurs instead playing their postponed game against Fulham.
Villa were able to play their FA Cup third-round fixture against Liverpool last weekend, but were forced to field a team made up of academy and U23 players.
Following the postponement of their game against Everton, Villa released a statement reading: "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."
A Premier League statement added: "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 health of players and staff remains the priority.
"The protocols, which strengthen key elements of the existing guidance, came into immediate effect last week."
Dean Smith's side's next scheduled fixture is away to Manchester City on Wednesday, January 20.
Newcastle's postponed match at Villa - which was due to be played in December but was called off after the Magpies experienced their own Covid outbreak - has been rescheduled for Saturday, 23 January at 8pm, live on Sky Sports.
Villa are also due to face Burnley on January 27 and Southampton on January 30 before the end of the month.
Thur Jan 14: Arsenal vs Crystal Palace - Kick-Off 8pm
Sat Jan 16: Leeds vs Brighton - Kick-Off 3pm
Sat Jan 16: Fulham vs Chelsea - Kick-Off 5.30pm
Sun Jan 17: Sheff Utd vs Tottenham - Kick-Off 2pm
Sun Jan 17: Liverpool vs Man Utd - Kick-Off 4.30pm
Sun Jan 17: Man City vs Crystal Palace - Kick-Off 7.15pm
Mon Jan 18: Arsenal vs Newcastle - Kick-Off 8pm
Tue Jan 19: Leicester vs Chelsea - Kick-Off 8.15pm
Wed Jan 20: Leeds vs Southampton - Kick-Off 6pm
Thur Jan 21: Liverpool vs Burnley - Kick-Off 8pm
Sat Jan 23: Aston Villa vs Newcastle - Kick-Off 8pm
Sat Jan 30: Arsenal vs Man Utd - Kick-Off 5.30pm
Sat Jan 30: Southampton vs Aston Villa - Kick-Off 8pm
Sun Jan 31: Leicester vs Leeds - Kick-Off 2pm
Sun Jan 31: West Ham vs Liverpool - Kick-Off 4.30pm
It could not be simpler: we will have free-to-watch match highlights of every Premier League game on the Sky Sports website, app, and the Sky Sports YouTube channel shortly after full-time of every fixture.
In addition, Sky subscribers will also be able to enjoy in-game clips from Sky Sports matches in our Digital match blogs.
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