Villa's game with Burnley postponed due to more Covid-19 cases

BIRMINGHAM, England, Dec 18 (Reuters) - Aston Villa's Premier League game at home to Burnley on Saturday has been postponed due to more COVID-19 cases in the Villa squad, the league announced about two hours before kickoff.

"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," the league said.

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

Neither the Premier League nor Aston Villa provided details on how many players had tested positive.

"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," said Villa, who won that game 2-0.

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

General view of sanitization station outside the stadium before the match was postponed due to Covid-19. -- Reuters

"The Club is extremely sorry for the inconvenience caused to Burnley Football Club, 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," they added.

Burnley had seen their home match against Watford on Wednesday called off at similar short notice after positive test results emerged in the visitors' squad.

Tony Scholes, communication officer for Burnley FC Supporters Groups, one of hundreds of fans who had travelled to the game, questioned the lack of consideration for supporters.

"While aware of the current crisis, to have two games called off at such short notice within days of each other really is unacceptable. So many supporters are being inconvenienced without it seems any real concern from the clubs and the league," he told Reuters.

There is now only one of the six scheduled games in Saturday's Premier League programme currently still going ahead with Leeds United hosting Arsenal later on Saturday.

Three of Sunday's four games are due to be played although Everton's home match against Leicester City has been postponed. (Reporting by Simon Evans in Burnley and Manasi Pathak in Bengaluru; Editing by Mark Potter and Ken Ferris)