Villa v Everton postponed due to COVID-19 concerns

Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins celebrates scoring their fourth goal and completing his hat-trick with Ezri Konsa. [ REUTERS]

Aston Villa's home match against Everton on Sunday has been postponed because of a COVID-19 outbreak at the Midlands club, the Premier League said on Thursday.

Villa's entire first-team squad and support staff have been in isolation since last week after 14 positive cases of coronavirus were reported at the club.

Dean Smith's side were scheduled to face Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday but the fixture was pushed back until later in the season, with Fulham stepping in to fill the gap in the fixture list.

"Following the rescheduling of Villa's fixture against Tottenham Hotspur, which was due to be played last night, a significant number of players and staff remain in isolation," the league said in a statement.

Everton's Michael Keane, second right, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton at the Molineux Stadium in Wolverhampton, England, Tuesday, Jan.12, 2021. ( AP)

"As a result, the Premier League Board has agreed to Aston Villa's request to postpone their match on Sunday."

Villa said that members of the first-team squad and staff who are healthy were expected to resume training on Sunday when they finish their period of isolation.

Newcastle United's postponed game at Villa has been rescheduled for Jan. 23.

The fixture, which was due to take place at Villa Park on Dec. 4, was called off due to a COVID-19 outbreak at Newcastle's training centre.