COVID-HIT Aston Villa had a second Premier League match in a week postponed today when Everton’s visit on Sunday was put on hold.

Villa’s midweek fixture against Tottenham was postponed after the closure of the club’s training ground a week ago when nine players and five staff tested positive for the virus.

The outbreak forced the Midlands club to field youth team players in the FA Cup defeat to Liverpool last week.

But despite the Everton match being moved back 24 hours to give it every chance, the fixture has now been deemed not viable.

“Following the rescheduling of Villa’s fixture against Tottenham Hotspur, which was due to be played last night, a significant number of players and staff remain in isolation,” said a Premier League statement explaining the postponement.

Villa, who were already two matches behind the majority of their rivals before the Everton decision, plan to reopen their training ground this weekend.

“The club would like to express its immense gratitude to the medical experts who have helped us to get a significant Covid-19 outbreak under control, as well as the Premier League board and our fellow clubs for their understanding during this period,” the club’s statement read.