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.

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Former Liverpool and England captain Gerrard has led Villa to four wins in six league games since taking over as the manager after the club sacked Dean Smith.

Villa are 10th in the league on 22 points after 17 matches.

"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 statement read.

Villa's league game at home to Burnley last week was postponed about two hours before kickoff due to a COVID-19 outbreak at the club.

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A record 90 new COVID-19 cases were detected among Premier League players and staff in the past week, while 13 games have been postponed so far due to the virus.

Britain reported a record 122,186 new daily COVID-19 cases on Friday as it battles a surge in infections fuelled by the Omicron variant.

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.

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. ALSO READ: 'Waste of time': Tottenham Hotspur FC boss Antonio Conte criticises Premier League's meeting with managers Former Liverpool and England captain Gerrard has led Villa to four wins in six league games since taking over as the manager after the club sacked Dean Smith. Villa are 10th in the league on 22 points after 17 matches. "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 statement read. Villa's league game at home to Burnley last week was postponed about two hours before kickoff due to a COVID-19 outbreak at the club. ALSO READ: Covid outbreak at Aston Villa made one player reluctant to get out of his car, reveals boss Steven Gerrard A record 90 new COVID-19 cases were detected among Premier League players and staff in the past week, while 13 games have been postponed so far due to the virus. Britain reported a record 122,186 new daily COVID-19 cases on Friday as it battles a surge in infections fuelled by the Omicron variant.

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.

Gerrard, who led Rangers to the Scottish title last season, was appointed Villa manager last week, succeeding Dean Smith who was sacked with the club in 16th place in the league, two points above the relegation zone after 11 games.

The former midfielder spent the majority of his playing career, 17 years, at Liverpool and helped them win several trophies including the Champions League and then began his coaching career at the club`s youth academy.

However, Gerrard insisted his focus was on Villa and leading them up the league table with his first match coming on Saturday at home to Brighton &amp; Hove Albion.

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"Everyone knows around the world what Liverpool means to me but the focus and my commitment is very much on Villa," the 41-year-old said.

"I said last week in a one-to-one (club interview) that I`m all in and I can promise the supporters that`s the case." 
Villa are one of the few English sides to have won the European Cup, in 1982.

Although supporters would dream of a return to continental competition, Gerrard insisted the immediate priority was winning games, especially with the club on a five-match losing streak in the league.

"Success is always about winning matches. In the long term the club would like to be back at the European level. I don`t think it`s the right time now to put any specific date on that," he said.

"But for me more importantly it`s about focusing on the short term, which is Brighton at the weekend, we need to start winning matches again and moving up the table, so that`s the short term goal."

As a player, Gerrard was not one Villa fans would have welcomed the sight of as he scored more goals against their team than any other - 13 in 27 games across all competitions.

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But he insisted he now wanted to bring cheers not jeers to Villa Park.

"I can`t change the past, the goals are there and a lot of wins. I apologise to Villa fans for that but now I`m on their side," Gerrard said.

"It`s different now. It`s my job to make them smile and be happy, it`s vital that there is unity." 
&nbsp;

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.

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. Gerrard, who led Rangers to the Scottish title last season, was appointed Villa manager last week, succeeding Dean Smith who was sacked with the club in 16th place in the league, two points above the relegation zone after 11 games. The former midfielder spent the majority of his playing career, 17 years, at Liverpool and helped them win several trophies including the Champions League and then began his coaching career at the club`s youth academy. However, Gerrard insisted his focus was on Villa and leading them up the league table with his first match coming on Saturday at home to Brighton & Hove Albion. ALSO READ: 'I am a WOMAN': Iranian goalkeeper Zohreh Koudaei reacts to claims that she is a MAN, vows to sue Jordanian FA "Everyone knows around the world what Liverpool means to me but the focus and my commitment is very much on Villa," the 41-year-old said. "I said last week in a one-to-one (club interview) that I`m all in and I can promise the supporters that`s the case." Villa are one of the few English sides to have won the European Cup, in 1982. Although supporters would dream of a return to continental competition, Gerrard insisted the immediate priority was winning games, especially with the club on a five-match losing streak in the league. "Success is always about winning matches. In the long term the club would like to be back at the European level. I don`t think it`s the right time now to put any specific date on that," he said. "But for me more importantly it`s about focusing on the short term, which is Brighton at the weekend, we need to start winning matches again and moving up the table, so that`s the short term goal." As a player, Gerrard was not one Villa fans would have welcomed the sight of as he scored more goals against their team than any other - 13 in 27 games across all competitions. ALSO READ | Brazil vs Argentina match officials suspended for 'serious errors' But he insisted he now wanted to bring cheers not jeers to Villa Park. "I can`t change the past, the goals are there and a lot of wins. I apologise to Villa fans for that but now I`m on their side," Gerrard said. "It`s different now. It`s my job to make them smile and be happy, it`s vital that there is unity."

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

Dean&nbsp;Smith&nbsp;has been sacked as manager of Aston Villa after five straight Premier League defeats, the club announced on Sunday.

Smith&nbsp;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.

The former European champions were 15th in the Premier League table ahead of Sunday's matches after picking up just 10 points from their opening 11 games.

Smith's departure comes the day after bottom club Norwich sacked their manager Daniel Farke.

Villa chief executive Christian Purslow said in a statement on the club's website: "After a good start to last season, this year we have not seen the continuous improvement in results, performances and league position which we have all been looking for.&nbsp;

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"For this reason we have decided to make a change now to allow time for a new head coach to make an impact."

Former Brentford manager&nbsp;Smith, 50, took charge of Villa in October 2018 and led them to promotion via the play-offs in his first season.&nbsp;

The following campaign he kept them up and they reached the League Cup final, which they lost to Manchester City.

They finished 11th last season but lost star player Jack Grealish to City in the transfer window.

The club's statement added: "The board would like to sincerely thank&nbsp;Dean&nbsp;for his many excellent achievements, on and off the pitch, during this time.&nbsp;

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"Everyone knows how much Aston Villa means to&nbsp;Dean&nbsp;and his family. He has represented the club with distinction and dignity."

Grealish tweeted: "No1 will ever compare, the real goat (greatest of all time)."

Smith&nbsp;is the fifth managerial casualty in the Premier League this season.

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.

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. The former European champions were 15th in the Premier League table ahead of Sunday's matches after picking up just 10 points from their opening 11 games. Smith's departure comes the day after bottom club Norwich sacked their manager Daniel Farke. Villa chief executive Christian Purslow said in a statement on the club's website: "After a good start to last season, this year we have not seen the continuous improvement in results, performances and league position which we have all been looking for. ALSO READ: Barcelona draw 3-3 at Celta Vigo after stunning second-half collapse "For this reason we have decided to make a change now to allow time for a new head coach to make an impact." Former Brentford manager Smith, 50, took charge of Villa in October 2018 and led them to promotion via the play-offs in his first season. The following campaign he kept them up and they reached the League Cup final, which they lost to Manchester City. They finished 11th last season but lost star player Jack Grealish to City in the transfer window. The club's statement added: "The board would like to sincerely thank Dean for his many excellent achievements, on and off the pitch, during this time. ALSO READ: Premier League: Manchester City outclass crisis-hit Manchester United "Everyone knows how much Aston Villa means to Dean and his family. He has represented the club with distinction and dignity." Grealish tweeted: "No1 will ever compare, the real goat (greatest of all time)." Smith is the fifth managerial casualty in the Premier League this season.

Aston Villa sack manager Dean Smith after defeat vs Southampton

The father of Aston Villa manager Dean Smith has died after contracting the coronavirus, the English Premier League club announced late Wednesday.

Villa said 79-year-old Ron Smith, a lifelong fan of the Birmingham side, had been suffering from COVID-19 for four weeks.

"The Aston Villa family are saddened to announce that Ron Smith, the father of our current head coach Dean, has passed away at the age of 79," said a club statement.

"Ron, who had recently been living in a care home after being diagnosed with dementia six years ago, contracted coronavirus four weeks ago and after a short spell in hospital passed away with his family at his side.

"A lifelong supporter, Ron was a steward at Villa Park for many years and passed on his love of the club down to his children.

"As well as being a regular at home games, Ron was also there to witness that greatest of days in May 1982 when Villa lifted the European Cup in Rotterdam.

"The thoughts of everyone at the football club are currently with Dean and his family at this most distressing of times and we would kindly ask for the family's privacy to be respected."

Smith is not the only Premier League boss to lose a close relative to the virus, with COVID-19 also claiming the life of the 82-year-old mother of Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola last month.

The father of Aston Villa manager Dean Smith has died after contracting the coronavirus, the English Premier League club announced late Wednesday. Villa said 79-year-old Ron Smith, a lifelong fan of the Birmingham side, had been suffering from COVID-19 for four weeks.

The father of Aston Villa manager Dean Smith has died after contracting the coronavirus, the English Premier League club announced late Wednesday. Villa said 79-year-old Ron Smith, a lifelong fan of the Birmingham side, had been suffering from COVID-19 for four weeks. "The Aston Villa family are saddened to announce that Ron Smith, the father of our current head coach Dean, has passed away at the age of 79," said a club statement. "Ron, who had recently been living in a care home after being diagnosed with dementia six years ago, contracted coronavirus four weeks ago and after a short spell in hospital passed away with his family at his side. "A lifelong supporter, Ron was a steward at Villa Park for many years and passed on his love of the club down to his children. "As well as being a regular at home games, Ron was also there to witness that greatest of days in May 1982 when Villa lifted the European Cup in Rotterdam. "The thoughts of everyone at the football club are currently with Dean and his family at this most distressing of times and we would kindly ask for the family's privacy to be respected." Smith is not the only Premier League boss to lose a close relative to the virus, with COVID-19 also claiming the life of the 82-year-old mother of Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola last month.

Villa boss Smith's father dies from coronavirus - club