How much will Coronavirus (COVID-19) impact Aston Villa's season?

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I spoke to my pal at the FA last night.
They are still keen for the season to finish, including the FA cup itself, apparently all clubs in the PL favour the 'play to a conclusion' whenever that is. The PL are planning on a June 6th start, finishing early August.

For June 6th restart I'd imagine you'd be looking at players going back in to training in the first or second week of May. I just can't see that happening.

[Colhint]

If they do play it will give some teams a massive boost for next season. Liverpool need 3 wins. Play your best team for the first few matches, then rest them until next season, whereas Arsenal etc who want Europe will have to play their best team each week.  Same at  the bottom

[CT Villan]

Given that the swab tests have been accused of being wildly inaccurate and producing many false-positives and the incubation period of covid can be up to 24 days during which time the virus can shed, do the footballing powers-that-be have a crystal ball to predict which players or support staff will carry the virus and potentially infect everyone they come into contact with ? Plus, unless they do a serology test there is no way of knowing whether the corona virus infection was recent or old. So that's blood tests every day for all involved !

Seems way more logical to just void the 19/20 season and start again whens the dust settles. Sadly, I think the decision will centre on money, not health.

It’s the other way around. The swab tests are the ones that go to the labs and are accurate. The blood pin prick tests which give an instant result are the one that test for antibodies, these are vital for the masses and these do not work (yet)

Frank, not all antibody tests are instant result pin-prick tests, there are others that send a blood sample to the lab for testing (IgG/IgM and ELISA). Antibody tests will become the standard very soon as they provide additional epidemiological data not provided by the RNA antigen tests. In the US there are several already approved for use, though this was only granted in the last week. Of course this ignores the problem of faulty test kits which is also causing widespread issues around the world.

[OCD]

Any talk of football is predicated on there just being one wave of infections. What if next season started Sep/Oct and then there’s another wave...what then?

[Brassneck]

It seems like they (be it the Government or the FA) are determined to finish the season behind closed doors.  Whilst I accept the reasoning for wanting to do so, the season cannot be finished fairly.  Furthermore, as normality is going to return in phases, I can't see how gatherings of players can possibly be justified.  We still have the issue of teams needing overnight accommodation for away games as well.  The domino effect of exposure is massive. What kind of message does that send out when they will likely be urging people to refrain from gatherings/BBQs etc whilst the games are being played?

[in exile]

The Sunday Times are today covering a story that it's likely schools will re-open in three weeks time if that's an indication of anything.

[brian green]

That strategy has always been part of the herd immunity gambit.  The little ones will shake it off while passing it to their grannies who will not.

[Ad@m]

The Sunday Times are today covering a story that it's likely schools will re-open in three weeks time if that's an indication of anything.

I don't believe that for one minute.

In 3 weeks time, the messaging will still be that social distancing is necessary to keep people safe. In that environment I can't see the teaching unions standing for their members being chucked in to the firing line.

[Legion]

Not a chance of that happening.

[walsall villain]

The Sunday Times are today covering a story that it's likely schools will re-open in three weeks time if that's an indication of anything.

I don't believe that for one minute.

In 3 weeks time, the messaging will still be that social distancing is necessary to keep people safe. In that environment I can't see the teaching unions standing for their members being chucked in to the firing line.

My daughter who is a teacher has been told exactly that by the school head regards the union stance.

[andyh]

My daughter is a teacher too. She thinks primary schools will return in May.

[exigo]

Brighton owner says he can't see 14 Premier League clubs voting to relegate anyone if the season isn't finished.

BBC linky

[saunders_heroes]

My daughter is a teacher too. She thinks primary schools will return in May.

Not gonna happen according to a government minister.

[Steve67]

Many schools have stayed open throughout this, but there are far fewer children attending.  Children of key-workers, those with an Educational and Health Care Plans, and the most vulnerable (those who have a social worker) have been allowed to attend school all the way through this.  However, as not many children have attended, it has made social distancing a bit easier for people.  If all children are told to go back, social distancing simply cannot happen and all will be at risk again.  I cannot see schools properly re-opening until the virus is gone.

[tomd2103]

The Sunday Times are today covering a story that it's likely schools will re-open in three weeks time if that's an indication of anything.

I don't believe that for one minute.

In 3 weeks time, the messaging will still be that social distancing is necessary to keep people safe. In that environment I can't see the teaching unions standing for their members being chucked in to the firing line.

My daughter who is a teacher has been told exactly that by the school head regards the union stance.

Think the final term after the Spring Bank Holiday could be a more realistic timeframe.

As for footbal, think the realisation is slowly dawning that this season will not be able to be finished without causing serious disruption to future seasons.