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Premier League: Aston Villa and Newcastle first of the lot to get COVID stopped

By Varun Aithal

Aston Villa's English midfielder Jack Grealish (L) vies with West Ham United's Spanish midfielder Pablo Fornals (C) during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Aston Villa at The London Stadium, in east London on November 30, 2020. (Photo by Julian Finney / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by JULIAN FINNEY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Aston Villa's English midfielder Jack Grealish (L) vies with West Ham United's Spanish midfielder Pablo Fornals (C) during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Aston Villa at The London Stadium, in east London on November 30, 2020. (Photo by Julian Finney / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by JULIAN FINNEY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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The Premier League body has accepted Newcastle United’s request to postpone their fixture with Aston Villa.

There will only be nine fixtures in Gameweek 11 this weekend. A shocker for Magpie fans after finding out their team was riddled with COVID-19 positive cases in the latest round of testing.

The clash between Aston Villa and Newcastle United has been postponed after the club lodged a formal request to the Premier League body.

It is said more than five of Newcastle’s first-team players have tested positive for COVID-19 after the team registered a victory against Crystal Palace.

The Premier League statement read:

"Newcastle lodged a request with the Premier League to rearrange the game following a significant increase in Covid-19 cases at the club, which resulted in Public Health England North East (PHE) advising that their training facilities remain closed.The Premier League Board agreed, as a consequence, that the club are unable to train and adequately and safely prepare for their match on Friday. (Via: premierleague.com)"

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The Magpies haven’t trained since returning from Selhurst Park. The club has closed its training grounds and those who have tested positive have already begun their self-isolation process. The training centre will remain closed until the next round of test results are out for Newcastle.

The club is yet to figure out the root cause of the spread on Tyneside. There are several possibilities, with the carriers being players and backroom staff as one of the reasons.

The Villa Park outfit accepted the clear communication and transparency of Newcastle and are in full support. Aston Villa are happy with the fixture postponement and have wished a speedy recovery to their opposition for Matchday 11.

The break for Dean Smith’s side will give them ample time to recalibrate for their other encounters coming up as the team has struggled of late. Villa has just one win in the last five fixtures in the top flight, picking up only three points from the 15 played for.

"Aston Villa can confirm that the club fully supports the Premier League’s decision to postpone our fixture with Newcastle United on Friday. Everybody at Aston Villa wishes a speedy recovery to all those at Newcastle United affected by the virus(Via: avfc.co.uk)"

The postponement might be a double-edged sword for Steve Bruce and Co. The team will get enough rest ahead of the busy festive period, however, the team has to keep their fingers crossed regarding their next test results. United will face West Bromwich Albion in their next Premier League game on December 12th.

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Last note:

Fantasy Premier League players should remodel their squads ahead of Gameweek 11. If you have Jack Grealish or Callum Wilson in your lineup, either substitute or replace them. Beware of the point deductions if you are willing to make more than one transfer for the weekend.

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