Premier League: Aston Villa's game against Burnley postponed due to more COVID-19 cases
Story highlights
Only four games are now due to be played this weekend, with Leeds against Arsenal the only surviving fixture on Saturday.
Aston Villa's home match with Burnley has been postponed due to a coronavirus outbreak in the Villa squad, leaving just one Premier League fixture on the schedule for Saturday.
Just four games are now due to be played this weekend, with Leeds against Arsenal the only surviving fixture on Saturday.
trending now
"Due to more positive cases in the Aston Villa squad today, the Premier League Board has regrettably had to postpone the club's home fixture against Burnley, due to kick-off at 3:00pm (1500GMT) this afternoon," the Premier League said in a statement.
The #PL Board has postponed #AVLBUR because of an increase in positive COVID-19 cases in the Aston Villa squad
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 18, 2021
Full statement: https://t.co/0f2PmvCUg3 pic.twitter.com/sfJH787NH0
"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."
Villa, managed by Steven Gerrard, said test results "confirmed further depletion of our playing squad which was already impacted upon for our trip to Norwich in midweek".
The British government on Friday reported 93,045 new coronavirus cases, a third consecutive record daily tally, as the Omicron variant fuels a surge in infections across the country.
ALSO READ: Robert Lewandowski breaks record for most goals in a calender year as Bayern crush Wolfsburg
Premier League clubs are due to meet on Monday to discuss the crisis, with some managers voicing concerns over potential harm to the integrity of the competition.
The Premier League said the remaining four Premier League matches due to be played this weekend were currently scheduled to go ahead.
Three games are still listed for Sunday -- Newcastle v Manchester City, Wolves v Chelsea and Tottenham v Liverpool.