Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard will miss the team's next two Premier League matches after testing positive for COVID-19, the English club said on Saturday. Gerrard, 41, who joined the club last month, will miss both Sunday's home game to Chelsea and Tuesday's trip to Leeds United while isolating.

Premier League: Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard tests positive for COVID-19, to sit out two games

Steven Gerrard promised Aston Villa supporters that the Premier League club has his full commitment despite his strong attachment to former side Liverpool, the new coach said in his first news conference on Thursday.

'I'm all in': New boss Steven Gerrard promises Aston Villa supporters

Dean Smith has been sacked as manager of Aston Villa after five straight Premier League defeats, the club announced on Sunday. Smith guided Villa back to the English top flight in 2019 but has paid the price for their disappointing form this season, with Friday's 1-0 defeat at Southampton proving the last straw for club bosses.

Aston Villa sack manager Dean Smith after defeat vs Southampton