Aston Villa v Everton postponed due to Covid outbreak
Aston Villa's scheduled Premier League meeting with Everton has been called off as the club continues to wrestle with a Covid-19 outbreak.
The Villans closed their Bodymoor Heath training complex last week after a sudden rise in cases among first-team players and staff.
They were also forced to send a team comprised solely of youth players and managed by U23s boss Mark Delaney to contest an FA Cup third-round tie against Liverpool.
A subsequent midweek league game against Tottenham was postponed, while this weekend's visit of Everton to Villa Park was moved from Saturday to Sunday.
However, the fixture has still fallen foul of the outbreak, leading to a cancellation.
A statement read: "The Premier League, in consultation with its clubs, has enhanced its Covid-19 protocols, in addition to reimplementing a twice-weekly testing programme as the heath of players and staff remains the priority.
"The protocols, which strengthen key elements of the existing guidance, came into immediate effect last week."
Villa will now hope to return to action with a visit to in-form Manchester City on January 20, while Everton's next outing comes in the FA Cup on January 23.