Leeds United's December visitors Newcastle United forced to postpone clash with Aston Villa after Covid-19 cases

Leeds United's fellow midtable side and scheduled December visitors Newcastle United have been forced to postpone their upcoming fixture against Aston Villa due to a 'significant increase' in Covid-19 cases at the club.
By Graham Smyth
Published 1st Dec 2020, 17:11 BST
Updated 1st Dec 2020, 17:12 BST
NO PLAY - Villa Park was due to host Aston Villa v Newcastle United on Friday night, before the game was postponed due to the Covid-19 cases at Newcastle. Pic: GettyNO PLAY - Villa Park was due to host Aston Villa v Newcastle United on Friday night, before the game was postponed due to the Covid-19 cases at Newcastle. Pic: Getty
NO PLAY - Villa Park was due to host Aston Villa v Newcastle United on Friday night, before the game was postponed due to the Covid-19 cases at Newcastle. Pic: Getty

Steve Bruce's side were due to play Villa on Friday night at 8pm, but the Premier League have confirmed following a board meeting that the game will be postponed.

Newcastle, who are set to visit Elland Road on December 16, lodged a request to rearrange the Villa fixture after Public Health England North East (PHE) advised that their training ground remain closed.

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A Premier League spokesperson said: "The Premier League Board agreed, as a consequence, that 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 remain closed and no group training would be permitted between players until Friday at the earliest."

Newcastle's players and training ground staff will all be re-tested this week and the club will meet again with PHE and the Premier League to assess the test results.

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Leeds and Newcastle sit 12th and 13th respectively in the Premier League table, with 14 points each from their 10 games. Both sides have won four and drawn one of their opening 10, while Leeds have a one-goal superiority when it comes to goal difference.

The Whites had their own Covid-19 case to deal with earlier in the season when Spanish international and record transfer signing Rodrigo tested positive, missing games against Leicester City and Crystal Palace.

Related topics:Newcastle UnitedPremier LeagueAston VillaSteve Bruce

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