Aston Villa’s first-team training session cancelled ahead of Friday’s FA Cup clash vs Liverpool

“Large number” of Villa players and staff have tested positive for Covid-19; Sheffield Wednesday and Middlesbrough close training grounds; Women’s FA Cup ties could be decided by coin toss”Large number” of Villa players and staff have tested positive for Covid-19; Sheffield Wednesday and Middlesbrough close training grounds; Women’s FA Cup ties could be decided by coin toss

Villa have been forced to close their Bodymoor Heath training ground after a “significant” coronavirus outbreak at the club. A “large number” of Villa’s first-team players and staff have tested positive and first-team training has been cancelled ahead of the game.

The club confirmed the positive results were returned after testing on Monday and Thursday this week and revealed it is in talks with the Football Association and the Premier League with regards to future actions.

No club will automatically have to forfeit an FA Cup game if they are affected by coronavirus, with each case to be assessed by the FA on its individual circumstances, Sky Sports News understands.

The FA has told clubs taking part in the FA Cup third round they should field a team if they have at least 14 fit players, which can include youth team players, as they seek to avoid a fixture pile-up.

In a statement on Thursday, Villa said: “A large number of first-team players and staff returned positive tests after being routinely tested on Monday and immediately went into isolation.

“A second round of testing was carried out immediately and produced more positive results today.