FA Cup: Aston Villa v Liverpool in doubt following 'significant' coronavirus outbreak
Villa’s FA Cup third round tie against Liverpool on Friday night has been plunged into doubt following a “significant” coronavirus outbreak at the club’s training ground.
The club has confirmed Bodymoor Heath has been closed with players and staff in isolation after a “large number” of positive results during the Premier League’s weekly testing on Monday.
A second round of testing was immediately carried out and produced further positive results, with first-team training cancelled.
Discussions are now ongoing between club medical staff, the FA and the Premier League as to the next steps with the tie against the Reds at serious risk of postponement.
A decision is expected later on Thursday.
Boss Dean Smith had been due to hold a pre-match press conference ahead of the match on Thursday afternoon though that has now been postponed, perhaps indefinitely.
The Villa-Liverpool tie is the latest to be put at risk due to positive coronavirus tests with the Shrewsbury Town’s match at Southampton postponed earlier on Thursday.
Derby County have also been forced to close their training ground due to an outbreak, though their third round tie at non-league Chorley will go ahead, with the Championship club fielding a group of under-18 and under-23 players.
The tie with Liverpool starts a busy period in Villa’s season, with Smith’s team due to play at least eight matches in the space of 30 days.
