Aston Villa's Pepe Reina: I ran out of oxygen battling coronavirus

Reina revealed last week he was recovering after contracting the virus, explaining how the illness felt like “a truck” had driven over him.

In a further interview, the 37-year-old has gone into greater detail about his symptoms, claiming that for 25 minutes he “could no longer breathe”.

He told the Italian press: “I am winning the battle against coronavirus only now.

“The most difficult moment was when I could no longer breathe, the 25 minutes I ran out of oxygen. It was the worst moments of my life.

“I was very tired after experiencing the first symptoms of the virus. A fever, dry cough and a headache that never left me - it was just that constant feeling of tiredness.

“The only real fear I had was when I understood that there was no oxygen: endless minutes of fear, as if suddenly my throat had closed. As a result I spent the first six or eight days indoors.”

Reina has made six appearances for Villa since joining on loan from AC Milan in January.

He will likely have to wait a considerable amount of time for the next one with the Premier League currently suspended until at least April 30.

Villa’s Bodymoor Heath training ground will remain closed until at least the middle of the month, with players carrying out individual fitness programmes at home.

Further discussions will take place later this week on how and when the campaign might resume. But with the coronavirus pandemic still yet to reach its peak in the UK, Reina insists football is of secondary importance.

“Football takes a back seat. I don’t care much, really,” he said. “Everyone’s well-being goes above anything else. I will be a supporter of playing when everything is in the best conditions, that everyone is safe.

“Football cannot be a priority right now. It is not important to finish this league. I know and am aware of all the interests that exist around soccer, especially economic ones. But there are also many other areas, and right now the first thing is people’s health.

“April 30 as an option for the Premier League to return seems to me that it will not be a real date and I think we are going to go much further.

“But it will be time that dictates the moment. When we are all safe it will be time to take action and set dates. So far, it is useless to talk and predict any return option.”