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

[David_Nab]

The bottom 6 or 7 must be discussing the implications but keeping their powder dry at the moment to see if the whole thing falls flat for any number of the reasons already discussed.

Imagine being relegated following a home game at an empty Emirates. I can’t believe any club in the same position would find that acceptable.

Perhaps but even if they complain its 6 /14 they don't have the numbers..the clubs in the middle of league have nothing to lose so will go with anything if it gets them their TV money

[aev]

The Premier League have to present their case to the Government. Hopefully it gets thrown out.

The government appear to be falling over themselves to “placate the masses”.

[aev]

The bottom 6 or 7 must be discussing the implications but keeping their powder dry at the moment to see if the whole thing falls flat for any number of the reasons already discussed.

Imagine being relegated following a home game at an empty Emirates. I can’t believe any club in the same position would find that acceptable.

Perhaps but even if they complain its 6 /14 they don't have the numbers..the clubs in the middle of league have nothing to lose so will go with anything if it gets them their TV money

And being cynical, Man Utd would love to see us get relegated and get our best player on the cheap.

[montague]

If training is resumed before social distancing rules are relaxed, BBC Sport understands players will be tested for coronavirus twice a week and would be screened for symptoms every day. All tests would be carried out by health professionals at a drive-through NHS testing facility that each club would have access to. Training grounds will be optimised for social distancing and high hygiene levels.

Test shouldn't be given to healthy athletes until all frontline workers and care home residents are being tested, all bus drivers and essential shopworkers are being tested, all vulnerable people with symptoms are being tested. That would be obscene. These guys are probably at less risk of dying from this than almost anyone and should be at the back of the queue.

[chrisw1]

If training is resumed before social distancing rules are relaxed, BBC Sport understands players will be tested for coronavirus twice a week and would be screened for symptoms every day. All tests would be carried out by health professionals at a drive-through NHS testing facility that each club would have access to. Training grounds will be optimised for social distancing and high hygiene levels.

Test shouldn't be given to healthy athletes until all frontline workers and care home residents are being tested, all bus drivers and essential shopworkers are being tested, all vulnerable people with symptoms are being tested. That would be obscene. These guys are probably at less risk of dying from this than almost anyone and should be at the back of the queue.

I understand the absurdity of some of the suggestions above, but the testing thing is a bit of a red herring.  By the time they are looking at serious training / games, the test capacity will probably be over 200k per day and I'm sure there will be plenty enough for all the workers you mention.  The tests for the players at that point would be a drop in the ocean.

[aev]

England West Indies was due at Lords for 25th June, this has tentatively been put back to 8th July. Obviously the first date is well after the proposed Premier League return.

[Damo70]

It's nonsensical.

Totally nonsensical. I was one of the first people to criticise Karren Brady for jumping in with two feet and suggesting the season be scrapped the moment games were suspended. It seemed a premature knee jerk reaction with a large dose of self preservation involved but it turns out she was right.

[Legion]

Statement on the U23s and U18s: https://twitter.com/youthhawk/status/1256223646391173120?s=09

[PaulWinch again]

If training is resumed before social distancing rules are relaxed, BBC Sport understands players will be tested for coronavirus twice a week and would be screened for symptoms every day. All tests would be carried out by health professionals at a drive-through NHS testing facility that each club would have access to. Training grounds will be optimised for social distancing and high hygiene levels.

In addition:

Players must arrive at training grounds in kit and wear masks at all times.
They must not shower or eat on the premises. If clubs want to provide players with food, it must be delivered as a takeaway to players' cars.
Only essential medical treatment would be allowed, with all medical staff in full PPE.
All meetings and reviews must take place virtually and off-site.

So essentially a team sports training will consist of players running round in masks and keeping their distances and they would have to go and queue at an NHS Site for testing.

They’re missing the point that if you actually want to play the game then there will be physical contact. It’s either safe or it’s not. If it’s not then stop with these stupid ideas.

[CT Villan]

Sky have just released the Blues CGI crowd...

[curiousorange]

Playing socially distanced football in masks is an insane idea. Either the game's ready to resume as is, or it's not the same game. But we know what'll happen - the Premier League will convince the government it'll all be fine, and the government will believe them.

[montague]

Playing socially distanced football in masks is an insane idea. Either the game's ready to resume as is, or it's not the same game. But we know what'll happen - the Premier League will convince the government it'll all be fine, and the government will believe them.

Just have one big penalty shoot out and be done with it

[andyh]

Rob Harris tweeting that FC Cologne Report 3 people tested positive for covid 19 today.
Sent home to isolate, rest of squad to continue training.

[curiousorange]

Playing socially distanced football in masks is an insane idea. Either the game's ready to resume as is, or it's not the same game. But we know what'll happen - the Premier League will convince the government it'll all be fine, and the government will believe them.

Just have one big penalty shoot out and be done with it

*calls Jed Steer to the thread*

[Somniloquism]

If training is resumed before social distancing rules are relaxed, BBC Sport understands players will be tested for coronavirus twice a week and would be screened for symptoms every day. All tests would be carried out by health professionals at a drive-through NHS testing facility that each club would have access to. Training grounds will be optimised for social distancing and high hygiene levels.

Test shouldn't be given to healthy athletes until all frontline workers and care home residents are being tested, all bus drivers and essential shopworkers are being tested, all vulnerable people with symptoms are being tested. That would be obscene. These guys are probably at less risk of dying from this than almost anyone and should be at the back of the queue.

I understand the absurdity of some of the suggestions above, but the testing thing is a bit of a red herring.  By the time they are looking at serious training / games, the test capacity will probably be over 200k per day and I'm sure there will be plenty enough for all the workers you mention.  The tests for the players at that point would be a drop in the ocean.

However the players would still need to go and get a test at an NHS approved testing site according to the report from the BBC. Some of them can't even be bothered to be around for dope tests, can you see them queueing up with loads of others "after a hard days training"?

I would also like to know if all this is for training, what is it going to be like for a full match. Can you see a player who is used to loogeying and rocket snotting to clear sinuses being able to run around at full pelt in a face mask for 90 minutes.

Matches now will have all the enthusiasm of an early preseason friendly with the energy they will be able to put in.