Coronavirus: Aston Villa vs Burnley postponed due to Covid outbreak in Steven Gerrard’s squad | Football News

Aston Villa’s Premier League match with Burnley has been postponed due to positive Covid cases in Steven Gerrard’s squad.

The postponement leaves only one Premier League match remaining from the six that were scheduled to take place on Saturday, with Leeds against Arsenal in the late kick-off – live on Sky Sports Premier League from 5pm – the only surviving fixture.

A Premier League statement said: “After reviewing all the new information provided by Aston Villa this morning and receiving separate medical advice, the board approved the request as a result of the club not having enough players to field a team.

“This decision was based on the number of Covid-19 cases, injuries and illness.

“The league understands the decision to postpone the match at such short notice will frustrate and disappoint supporters, and apologises for the inconvenience and disruption caused.

“The remaining four Premier League matches due to be played this weekend are currently scheduled to proceed as planned.”

Villa acknowledged and apologised for the late postponement, which came a little over two hours before the match was due to kick off, but insisted they acted as quickly as they could.

A club statement said: “The results of PCR tests, which were taken yesterday prior to training as well as lateral flow tests, were received this morning and confirmed further depletion of our playing squad which was already impacted upon for our trip to Norwich in midweek.

“All individuals who tested positive are now isolating in line with Premier League and government guidance and protocols.

“The club is extremely sorry for the inconvenience caused to Burnley, both our own supporters and the Burnley fans due to attend the fixture but have acted as swiftly as possible this morning to minimise disruption.”

Covid cancellations: Which games are off?

Brighton vs Tottenham – Sunday December 12, Premier League

Brentford vs Man Utd – Tuesday December 14, Premier League

Burnley vs Watford – Wednesday December 15, Premier League

Leicester vs Tottenham – Thursday December 16, Premier League

Man Utd vs Brighton – Saturday December 18, Premier League

Southampton vs Brentford – Saturday December 18, Premier League

Watford vs Crystal Palace – Saturday December 18, Premier League

West Ham vs Norwich – Saturday December 18, Premier League

Aston Villa vs Burnley – Saturday December 18, Premier League

Everton vs Leicester – Sunday December 19, Premier League

Which other games have been postponed?

A string of fixtures across other competitions have also been postponed.

Tottenham vs Rennes – Thursday December 9, Europa Conference League

Sheffield Utd vs QPR – Monday December 13, Championship

Man City Women vs Leicester City Women – Wednesday December 15, League Cup

Cardiff vs Derby – Saturday December 18, Championship

QPR vs Swansea – Saturday December 18, Championship

Reading vs Luton – Saturday December 18, Championship

Millwall vs Preston – Saturday December 18, Championship

AFC Wimbledon vs Portsmouth – Saturday December 18, League One

Gillingham vs Crewe – Saturday December 18, League One

Lincoln City vs Doncaster Rovers – Saturday December 18, League One

Sheffield Wednesday vs Accrington – Saturday December 18, League One

Barrow vs Northampton – Saturday December 18, League Two

Carlisle vs Bradford – Saturday December 18, League Two

Colchester vs Hartlepool – Saturday December 18, League Two

Crawley vs Oldham – Saturday December 18, League Two

Forest Green vs Mansfield Town – Saturday December 18, League Two

Scunthorpe vs Bristol Rovers – Saturday December 18, League Two

Chelsea Women vs West Ham Women – Sunday December 19, Women’s Super League

Man City Women vs Reading Women – Sunday December 19, Women’s Super League

Forest Green vs Colchester – Tuesday December 21 – League Two

What are the Premier League rules around postponements?

The 2021/22 Premier League handbook includes Covid protocols, and states the Premier League’s board will “only permit the rearrangement or postponement of a league match in exceptional circumstances”.

The board make calls on a case-by-case basis, and by way of guidance the Premier League says permission for a postponement will not be granted if a club have 14 or more players from their squad list available.

In a statement on Thursday, the Premier League added they would ‘assess a number of factors, including the ability of a club to field a team; the status, severity and potential impact of the COVID-19 outbreak at the club; and the ability of the players to safely prepare for and play the match.

‘The Board must also consider the wider risks to the opposition and other people the club may come into contact with.’

How many positive tests?

The week of December 6 to December 12 saw the highest number of positive tests in the Premier League, with 42 compared with 12 the previous week (November 29 to December 5).

It was also the highest weekly figure recorded since the release of testing results began in May last year.

December 6 to December 12 did see the highest number of tests taken this season, with 3,805.

August 2 to August 8 – 3,118 tested; 9 positive
August 9 to August 15 – 3,231 tests; 11 positive
August 16 to August 22 – 3,060 tests; 16 positive
August 23 to August 29 – 3,020 tests; six positive
August 30 to September 5 – 1,952 tests; two positive
September 6 to September 12 – 3,039 tests; three positive
September 13 to September 19 – 3,154 tests; two positive
September 20 to September 26 – 3,010 tests; one positive
September 27 to October 3 – 2,927 tests; four positive
October 4 to October 10 – 1,696 tests; zero positive
October 11 to October 17 – 3,044 tests; six positive
October 18 to October 24 – 3,209 tests; four positive
October 25 to October 31 – 3,006 tests; four positive
November 1 to November 7 – 2,953 tests; three positive
November 8 to November 14 – 1,647 tests; four positive
November 15 to November 21 – 3,188 tests; six positive
November 22 to November 28 – 3,379 tests; seven positive
November 29 to December 5 – 3,154 tests; 12 positive
December 6 to December 12 – 3,805 tests; 42 positive