Aston Villa head coach Steven Gerrard will miss the membership’s subsequent two Premier League video games after testing constructive for Covid-19.
Gerrard won’t be within the dugout for the Boxing Day conflict at dwelling to Chelsea or Tuesday’s journey to Leeds.
The membership mentioned in a press release: “Aston Villa can affirm head coach Steven Gerrard will likely be unable to attend our subsequent two Premier League matches with Chelsea and Leeds United as he will likely be isolating after testing constructive for Covid-19.”
Villa’s dwelling recreation with Burnley final weekend was postponed because of an elevated variety of constructive coronavirus exams among the many squad.
The match towards Chelsea at Villa Park is one in all six Premier League video games nonetheless at the moment scheduled to go forward on Boxing Day.
In the meantime, Manchester Metropolis boss Pep Guardiola has urged supporters to put on masks in stadiums to restrict the unfold of coronavirus.
Beneath recently-introduced Authorities Plan B laws, followers now want to point out proof of double vaccination or a adverse Covid-19 take a look at to attend video games.
There was hypothesis, nevertheless, that the authorities might go additional and power video games again behind closed doorways – as they have been throughout Challenge Restart and for many of final season – amid surging case numbers in England.
Guardiola, who misplaced his mom to the virus final 12 months, doesn’t need to see that occur once more however does suppose individuals may very well be doing extra.
Requested in regards to the prospect of video games being performed with out followers once more, Guardiola mentioned: “I wouldn’t find it irresistible.
“You possibly can’t think about how totally different it’s taking part in with individuals than with out individuals. It doesn’t evaluate.
“Ultimately we performed behind closed doorways so the economic system of world soccer would survive, for the broadcasters. Due to that, we stored getting our salaries and will play soccer for the individuals.
“Hopefully it gained’t occur once more, however instances are raised all world wide. These individuals go to the stadiums, and may contaminate.
“There are individuals within the stadiums who don’t use masks, and that surprises me probably the most. You stroll on the street, you go to the large malls, to locations to purchase presents for the household and nobody makes use of masks.
“Vaccinations, booster jabs, the individuals (can) resolve – however part of that needs to be social distancing and masks. It’s one of the best ways to guard ourselves, our households and the remainder of the individuals.
“Like this, the eating places might nonetheless be open, and soccer might go on. I’m not a scientist or a physician however I belief the docs and scientists as a result of they know greater than I do know.
“I need to belief the individuals who know and so they say that is the most secure approach – take a vaccine. Folks don’t die once they take a vaccine.
“Sporting a masks is so vital, like social distancing and hand sanitisers, so let’s attempt to do it. In any other case, it could (come again) repeatedly and once more.”