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

[Abbeyfealeavfc]

The Dutch seem to be close to making a decision.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52376543

[Lastfootstamper]

I'm sure that when it's explained to the players and staff that if they catch it then hey-ho, tough shit, they won't mind nor let it affect their game.

[DrGonzo]

Scottish Premiership told it can void the season without affecting European qualification for next season.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/21/scottish-premiership-season-set-to-be-called-off-after-uefa-assurances

[chrisw1]

I'm sure that when it's explained to the players and staff that if they catch it then hey-ho, tough shit, they won't mind nor let it affect their game.

But you could say that to every single person going back to work in pretty much every line of work.  What you can bet is they would probably be some of the most tested people on the planet and their risk will likely be less than most.

[Lastfootstamper]

Why do they get to get tested?

[Clark W Griswold]

I would think that all of us, as football fans and as human beings will hope that the whole thing is in a better situation in 4 weeks time allowing training to start and then an even better situation another 3 weeks after to start playing behind closed doors. We all want the situation to be better and less dangerous for everyone and if that means that it is deemed safe enough for football to continue then as football fans i would have thought we would all be rejoicing about that as well. Unless some are desperate for the season to be voided to save the Villa. Personally, i'd sooner it be played out even if we go down and i'm as big a fan as anyone on here i can assure you. But, i repeat, i don't think anything should be started until it is safe.

What i would like to see happen is the league season played out when we can, for 6-7 weeks, then a 6 week break or so and start again. I'd like to see the FA Cup, Champions League and Europa League played out at the same time next year (so postponed like the euros) with the same teams as they are, and the League Cup cancelled next season. The FA Cup, CL and EL can be treated as the 19-21 competition. I know there are issues with this but i think it's be the best way to do it personally. It means that if the new season started in say October, more league games could be squeezed in over the weeks to finish at the normal time next season. I'm also aware of the financial implications of this and for that reason it won't happen.

[brian green]

Of all the things that are going to be changed out of all recognition by this pandemic,  professional football is very close to the top of the list.  Football where it was needs tearing up and starting afresh.  The authorities will not do it voluntarily of course.  Turkeys don't vote for Christmas but it will happen.

[aev]

Of all the things that are going to be changed out of all recognition by this pandemic,  professional football is very close to the top of the list.  Football where it was needs tearing up and starting afresh.  The authorities will not do it voluntarily of course.  Turkeys don't vote for Christmas but it will happen.

The thing that i hope changes (but doubt it will) is the massive differences that clubs can earn and generate between the PL and the Leagues below. I think if this wasn't such a big difference then the "impasse" that we are currently seeing would not be occurring.

[Clark W Griswold]

Yep, football does need tearing up and starting afresh but Coronavirus nor anything else is going to make that happen any time soon. Except maybe an asteroid.

[brian green]

Agree aev.  This is not a shock wave running through football.  It is the house falling down.  The finances of the two wealthiest clubs in the Premiership are Chelsea and Manchester City.  Their financial profligacy that has dragged many clubs, our own included to the brink of bankruptcy, has been underpinned by oil, Russian and Gulf.  Oil is urrently being traded at minus prices to get it taken away.  Like family heirlooms, the big clubs will be down the pawnshop.

[mr underhill]

anything that hastens the end of their hegemony is fine by me.

[Dave P]

The National Leagues have been cancelled with immediate effect. The voiding is creeping up the pyramid.

[brian green]

Me too Mr U.  Back in the day when Stanley Matthews would put 10,000 on the gate wherever he played he got £20 a week football season only.  The pendulum of injustice was fully at the extreme of club power.  Along came Jimmy Hill and Bosman and the pendulum started to swing the other way.  Pre coronavirus the pendulum was at its pro player extreme.  It has now started to swing back.  Bosman will be ushered quietly out of the back door.  Reductions in players pay will be window dressed in the form of wage deferrals to begin with but it is the gravy train hits buffers time.

[cdbearsfan]

The National Leagues have been cancelled with immediate effect. The voiding is creeping up the pyramid.

No promotion? I'd have thought they would have wanted at least one team up to take the place of Bury.

[aev]

Oliver Dowden suggesting that when football resumes games could be shown on free to air tv.