Chronicle Editor
BIRMINGHAM — Aston Villa head coach Steven Gerrard will miss the next two English Premier League football games after testing positive for Covid-19.
Gerrard missed yesterday’s Boxing Day game at home to Chelsea and will also miss tomorrow’s trip to Leeds.
It is the second time this season that Gerrard has been sidelined by Covid-19.
The 41-year-old was forced to isolate earlier this year during his time as Rangers manager, missing matches against Alashkert and Celtic.
Villa were forced to postpone their game against Burnley last Saturday because of an outbreak of the virus at the club.
Three English Premier League games were called off yesterday, with Liverpool’s home game against Leeds, Watford’s trip to Wolves and Burnley’s game against Everton falling foul of the virus.
The match against Chelsea at Villa Park is one of six English Premier League games which were still scheduled to go ahead yesterday.
Gerrard spent three years as Rangers manager before moving to Villa on November 11 to succeed Dean Smith who was sacked after a run of five defeats.
Since then Villa have won four out of their six English Premier League games, with the two defeats coming against Manchester City and his former club Liverpool.
A statement from the club said: “Aston Villa can confirm head coach Steven Gerrard will be unable to attend our next two Premier League matches with Chelsea and Leeds United as he will be isolating after testing positive for Covid-19.”
On Wednesday, Gerrard said it would be a “nightmare” if his club had to tackle two matches in two days with just 14 players available. Everyone at the club was anxious about potential infection, he added.
“We had a situation at the weekend where one of the players was reluctant to get out of his car because he had some symptoms and he’s got a young family, and you can totally understand his view in his situation,” Gerrard said.
“No-one wants to get this virus. Everyone wants to protect their own families. This is our job and your priority is always going to be your family, of course it is.”
In total, 25 Boxing Day games across the top four divisions of English football were postponed after two more Football League matches were called off.
Luton’s match at home to Bristol City became the seventh postponed Championship fixture, while Carlisle’s home League Two match with Rochdale has also been postponed.
Luton and Carlisle have both reported Covid outbreaks in their squads.
Only 10 games in the three lower divisions were still due to go ahead yesterday. — Reuters
Online Reporter