Aston Villa suffer Covid-19 outbreak 24 hours after Liverpool clash

Aston Villa are the latest Premier League club to suffer from an outbreak of Covid-19 at their training ground.

A number of positive cases were detected among those who work at Villa's training facility, the latest club to suffer from a steep rise in infections.

Of those who have tested positive for the virus, one has been identified as a member of Villa's playing staff.

As a precaution, the club chose to cancel Sunday's training session at Bodymoor Heath.

While Villa's next Premier League clash against struggling Norwich is expected to go ahead, the news will be of concern to those at Liverpool.

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Steven Gerrard made his return to Anfield as he led Villa to a 1-0 defeat against Jurgen Klopp's side.

It remains unclear whether the sole positive case found within the playing squad featured in any capacity against the Reds just 24 hours prior on Saturday afternoon.

A steep rise in cases of the highly-transmissible omicron variant has sparked a number of outbreaks of the virus at different Premier League clubs.

Tottenham Hotspur have had to postpone their last two fixtures after a widespread outbreak at their training ground led to a number of players becoming infected.

As a result, the Europa Conference League clash with Rennes was postponed, as was Sunday afternoon's trip to the Amex to take on Brighton& Hove Albion.

Just minutes before news broke of Villa's outbreak, reports emerged claiming Manchester United have also suffered a similar fate.

This has led to huge doubts over whether Ralf Rangnick's side will be in any kind of state to travel to Brentford on Tuesday evening.

Covid-related issues have started to impact the Championship as well, with West Bromwich Albion confirming four of their defenders tested positive for the virus before their league game against Reading.

Queens Park Rangers have been forced to postpone their game against Sheffield United after an outbreak within their ranks.

The West London-based outfit had so many players test positive there were not enough to actually even try and contest the fixture.

There is no exemption for following Covid guidelines when it comes to elite sport.

The Premier League will have to act in accordance to government rules, meaning if a player or member of coaching staff tests positive for the omicron variant and other staff or players are identified as close contacts, they will all be obliged to self-isolate for 10 days.

That remains the case for both players and staff who are double-jabbed against the virus.