Villa boss Gerrard tests positive for Covid-19

LONDON: Aston Villa head coach Steven Gerrard will miss the club’s next two Premier League games after testing positive for Covid-19, the club announced on Saturday.

“Aston Villa can confirm Head Coach Steven Gerrard will be unable to attend our next two Premier League matches with Chelsea and Leeds United as he will be isolating after testing positive for COVID-19,” the club tweeted.

Gerrard will miss the Boxing Day game at home to Chelsea and Tuesday’s visit to Leeds, if that game goes ahead.

Aston Villa’s last game, at home to Burnley, was postponed shortly before kick-off on December 18 after a coronavirus outbreak in the Villa camp.

Read More: Gerrard says Villa player ‘reluctant to get out of car’ due to Covid fears

Three of Sunday’s scheduled Premier League games have been called off, including the Leeds visit to Liverpool, because of a Covid outbreak and injury problems at the Yorkshire club. That puts a question mark over Villa’s match at Elland Road on December 28 will be played.

On Wednesday, Gerrard said it would be a “nightmare” if his club had to tackle two matches in two days with just 14 players available. Everyone at the club was anxious about potential infection, he added.

“We had a situation at the weekend where one of the players was reluctant to get out of his car because he had some symptoms and he’s got a young family, and you can totally understand his view in his situation,” Gerrard said.

“No-one wants to get this virus. Everyone wants to protect their own families. This is our job and your priority is always going to be your family, of course it is.”

Read More: Maloney appointed Hibs boss

In total, 25 Boxing Day games across the top four divisions of English football have been postponed after two more Football League matches were called off.

Luton’s match at home to Bristol City became the seventh postponed Championship fixture, while Carlisle’s home League Two match with Rochdale has also been postponed.

Luton and Carlisle have both reported Covid outbreaks in their squads.

Only 10 games in the three lower divisions are still due to go ahead on Boxing Day.