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Aston Villa v Newcastle postponed as Magpies battle Covid outbreak

Villa’s home match with Newcastle on Friday has been postponed as the visitors continue to battle a coronavirus outbreak.

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The Magpies' training ground has been closed since the end of last week after five members of the first-team group tested positive for the virus.

It has been reported further positive tests have since been returned, with the whole of the first-team bubble asked to self-isolate.

And with the match now confirmed as being off, Villa have confirmed they 'fully support the Premier League's decision'.

The statement continued: "We would like to thank both the Premier League Board and Newcastle United for their comprehensive and transparent communication during the process which resulted in this decision being reached.

"Everybody at Aston Villa wishes a speedy recovery to all those at Newcastle United affected by the virus."

Explaining the decision, the Premier League wrote in their own statement: "Following a Premier League Board meeting today, Newcastle United’s fixture at Aston Villa, due to be played at 8pm Friday 4 December, has been postponed.

"Newcastle lodged a request with the Premier League to rearrange the game following a significant increase in COVID-19 cases at the club. This resulted in Public Health England (PHE) advising that their training facilities be closed down. The Premier League Board agreed, as a consequence, the club are unable to train and adequately and safely prepare for their match on Friday.

"The decision has been taken in consultation with Newcastle United and Aston Villa and following extensive consultation with PHE and Premier League medical advisors, with the health of players and staff the priority.

"Newcastle correctly notified PHE regarding a number of positive COVID-19 test results, which is standard practice under Government and Premier League guidelines.

"PHE convened a meeting with Newcastle and the Premier League yesterday to assess the situation and advised the club’s training ground should shut immediately and no group training would be permitted between players until Friday at the earliest.

"All players and training ground staff will be re-tested this week and another meeting between the club, PHE and the Premier League will take place to assess the test results.

"The Premier League wishes those with COVID-19 a safe and speedy recovery and will rearrange the postponed fixture against Aston Villa in due course."

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