January 15 – Yet another Aston Villa fixture has been called off in the English Premier League because of a COVID-19 outbreak at the club, this time hitting their fixture against Everton this Sunday.
The sites reviewed at My Top Sportsbooks had Villa going in as the outsiders in the betting markets to pick up the victory, as both sides continue to challenge at the top of the table.
The news came just as Premier League officials were due to hold talks with captains and managers of clubs to urge compliance with strict coronavirus regulations.
Villa’s entire first-team squad and support staff have been in isolation since last week after 14 positive cases of coronavirus were reported.
The club recently had their fixture with Tottenham Hotspur called off, their third postponement this season though the first, against Newcastle in early December, was because of positive cases in the Newcastle squad.
This week the British government expressed concern about players not sticking to the rules when it comes to celebrating goals.
“Some of the scenes we have seen have been brainless and give out an awful message,” said Julian Knight, who chairs the House of Commons select committee overseeing sports policy.
While England captain Harry Kane celebrated on his own after scoring in Tottenham’s 1-1 draw with Fulham on Wednesday, Manchester City’s players still hugged after Phil Foden notched the winner against Brighton.
“Sometimes the brain is a subconscious one and you are just there in the moment,” City manager Pep Guardiola explained. “You are not thinking.”
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