Aston Villa have confirmed their FA Cup third-round tie against Liverpool will go ahead on Friday night despite a large number of their players and staff testing positive for coronavirus.
The midlands club were forced to close their Bodymoor Heath training ground on Thursday owing to the outbreak, and there had been concerns they would have to forfeit their match against the Reds.
However, the match is now set to go ahead. Villa have not confirmed how they have managed to get around the issue, but it is understood no first-team players will take part.
Instead, under-23s coach Mark Delaney is expected to oversee a side made up of under-18 and under-23 players.
Shrewsbury Town's clash at Southampton will not go ahead after an outbreak at the third-tier team.
Wayne Rooney and Championship side Derby's first-team squad will miss their FA Cup tie at Chorley on Saturday following another surge in coronavirus cases.
Four Premier League games and more than 50 games in the English Football League – which governs the three divisions below the top flight – have been postponed so far this season.
Meanwhile, Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Nuno Espirito Santo is alarmed by the rising number of Covid-19 cases within English clubs and fears the situation will worsen.
"Unfortunately, it's going to happen more," Nuno said, ahead of Friday's FA Cup third-round clash against Crystal Palace.
Aston Villa can confirm that the #EmiratesFACup Third Round tie with Liverpool will be played at Villa Park this evening (7.45pm KO). 🟣 pic.twitter.com/euhAuRSvF7
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 8, 2021
"Just look at the news. The expectations are terrible. It's going to get worse."
The Premier League on Tuesday returned 40 new Covid-19 cases – the highest in a week this season after two rounds of testing last week.
Players and staff at top-flight clubs are being tested twice a week after a highly infectious variant of the novel coronavirus led to a surge in cases across the country and forced the British government to announce a new national lockdown.
"In football we live in a bubble and don't always feel what society is feeling," Nuno said. "But it's tough for everyone. Players are only human and the rise in cases is scary."
