Aston Villa to beg Premier League to axe Everton clash at weekend with NINE positive coronavirus cases in first team

ASTON VILLA are to ask the Premier League to postpone Sunday’s clash with Everton.

At least nine first-team players tested positive for Covid-19 and have been isolating since Thursday.

Dean Smith and Co played their kids in a 4-1 FA Cup defeat to Liverpool on Friday.

Under-23s boss Mark Delaney took charge at Villa Park against a strong Reds side which included Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Jordan Henderson.

However, the Villans called off tonight’s scheduled game against Tottenham.

Villa’s Bodymoor Heath base remains closed and the Midlanders are set to make a formal request to Premier League chiefs today.

The Everton clash was originally meant to go ahead at 5.30pm on Saturday.

However, it was pushed back to Sunday at noon because Fulham’s game with Chelsea moved from Friday night to the Saturday evening slot.

Cottagers boss Scott Parker fumed after his side were given 48 hours to prepare to face Spurs tonight – but got no sympathy from Tottenham counterpart Jose Mourinho.

Their game was postponed from December 30 after a coronavirus outbreak at the West London club.

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Parker raged: “To confirm a (Wednesday) Premier League game at 9:30 on Monday morning is scandalous.

“It is not about the fixture. I accept we have to play, but it is the notice. 

“Maybe the people in these places making these decisions don’t understand how you manage teams and manage players.

“To have a game called on with 48 hours’ notice, Jose will know too well that you plan structures and physical elements to players and what you do in the week and how you play for one game or another.

“Tottenham knew they had a fixture. His team selection at the weekend suggested that. He will have planned for that with his team selection.

“It is wrong. I am disappointed and angry. It is not right for numerous reasons. That is why I am so angry.”

But Mourinho hit back: “Are you serious?

“I had the news I was not going to play them two hours before the game started.

“Do you want to finish the season or not? Do you want football to keep going or not? Do you want to be the only country in Europe without football or not?

“Do we want the end of the season with champions, cup winners, relegation and with Europe, or we don’t? That’s the main question.

“Come on, let’s play football. Let’s behave the best we can. Let’s protect our industry. Let’s protect our image and let’s play football.

“I could also ask why Aston Villa played Liverpool in the Cup on Friday and don’t play against me on Wednesday. I’m not crying about that.”