Villa’s trip to Wigan is called off
Saturday 18th December 2010, 1:00PM GMT.
Villa’s Premier League match with Wigan has been called off on the advice of Greater Manchester Police.
The pitch at the DW Stadium has undersoil heating and is not affected, despite heavy snow fell in Lancashire overnight, after Wigan groundstaff cleared the surface this morning.
But the authorities deemed that the areas surrounding the ground were not safe and took the decision to postpone today’s game.
A statement from Wigan said: “The game between Wigan Athletic and Aston Villa at the DW Stadium has been called off after freak weather conditions in the town overnight.
“The decision was made on the advice of Superintendent Stuart Ellison of Greater Manchester Police, on safety grounds.
“Despite the club’s best efforts using today’s game on by bringing in snow ploughs and gritters, the ten inches of snow that fell overnight has made the surrounding area extremely hazardous for supporters travelling to the game.
“Public transport isn’t running, there are motorway closures and the general condition of the surrounding routes is treacherous.
“The DW Stadium playing surface is fine with the undersoil heating doing its job.
“The club wants to apologise for the inconvenience this causes.”
UK Sport
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