Aston Villa vs Burnley postponed to make it six Premier League games off this weekend

The game at Villa Park has been called off a little over two hours before the 3pm kick-off, with the West Midlands club sending an apology to both home and travelling Clarets fans.

It's the sixth Premier League to be postponed this weekend, as coronavirus continues to sweep through the English game.

But top flight chiefs have insisted the remaining scheduled games this weekend will 'proceed as planned' as they continue to resist calls to halt action following a steep rise in positive cases.

Both clubs have been hit by the virus over the past week, with Aston Villa closing their training ground for a number of days and Steven Gerrard left with a depleted team for their midweek game against Norwich.

Burnley have also confirmed positive cases throughout their team, following the postponement of their game against Watford, also just hours before kick-off.

But the late decision to call off Saturday's clash came after Villa confirmed a number of players returned positive PCR tests that morning, which has left manager Steven Gerrard unable to field a team.

It's a particular blow for Burnley, with this latest postponement making it three games they will now have to find time to play, having had their match against Tottenham called off in November due to snow.

A statement published on Saturday afternoon read: "Aston Villa can confirm that today's Premier League fixture with Burnley has been postponed due to an increased amount of positive Covid-19 test results within our playing squad.

"The results of PCR tests, which were taken yesterday prior to training as well as Lateral Flow Tests, were received this morning and confirmed further depletion of our playing squad which was already impacted upon for our trip to Norwich in midweek.

"All individuals who tested positive are now isolating in line with Premier League and government guidance and protocols.

"The club is extremely sorry for the inconvenience caused to Burnley Football Club, both our own supporters and the Burnley fans due to attend the fixture but have acted as swiftly as possible this morning to minimise disruption."

Hopefully.

Calls have grown for the Premier League to curtail all action following a rice of cases throughout the top flight.

Brentford manager Thomas Frank suggested the entire weekend fixtures list should be postponed to help ensure the league's traditional Boxing Day games can go ahead without any hiccups.

But top flight bosses insisted in a statement that this weekend's surviving games will be ahead as planned, and they will continue to make decisions over postponements on a game-by-game basis.

"The league understands the decision to postpone the match at such short notice will frustrate and disappoint supporters, and apologises for the inconvenience and disruption caused," a statement read.

"The remaining four Premier League matches due to be played this weekend are currently scheduled to proceed as planned.

"The board assesses applications to postpone matches on a case-by-case basis, based on existing rules and COVID-19 postponement guidance issued to all clubs."