Aston Villa confirmed in a club statement on Tuesday that they supported the Premier League’s decision to postpone Friday’s meeting with Newcastle United after the Magpies’ entire first team squad was forced to isolate due to a Covid-19 outbreak.
Some supporters shared their frustration on social media that the game had to be called off, but the majority praised Villa for their good sportsmanship. Not only do Newcastle have to protect their players and staff, Villa can’t afford to risk the health of their own squad either.
Right decision. We'd want the same if the shoe was on the other foot.
— Crippy Cooke (@CrippyCooke) December 1, 2020
Thank you lads classy 👍
Villa fans don't be abusing us over this it's not our fault.
— Dell 🇮🇹 (@agbnufc_) December 1, 2020
Well done Aston Villa doing what right and being fair play and sportsmanlike
— Andrew Anderson (@Ando87NUFC) December 1, 2020
I believe it’s the right decision although other clubs that have had to play without players due to COVID may have an issue. Also didn’t spurs get a buy into the next round of a cup bcos their opposition couldn’t field a team due to COVID?
— Gary Mally (@GaryMally) December 1, 2020
Right decision. I wasn’t looking forward to it after last night.
— Matthew Gibbs (@matthewgibbs79) December 1, 2020
Clearly the right decision, the way our luck has been lately we’d find a way to lose to their U-14s anyway. Awful situation at Newcastle hope they recover.
— The Ronster (@rjbride) December 2, 2020
Global pandemic safety first well done Villa some sense shown we fight this together
— Steve Wainwright (@wainyuno) December 2, 2020
Villa are 10th in the Premier League with 15 points from nine games, having lost four of their last five. They would likely have been favourites to come out on top against Newcastle but will now have to wait 10 more days before they can play.
The Claret and Blues’ next league outing is now against Wolverhampton Wanderers on December 12. Newcastle are due to face West Bromwich Albion on the same day.
Wolves are seven in the table with 17 points from 10 games and have only lost one of their last seven. They boast two wins and two draws from their previous four home games, so Dean Smith’s men will be in for a difficult afternoon at Molineux.
In other news, Gabby Agbonlahor criticised one man for an “erratic” moment in Aston Villa’s 2-1 defeat to West Ham United
