Two clubs’ fixture lists get tighter

NEWCASTLE United and Aston Villa will have to fit another game into their tight fixture list after the Asnton Villa game was postponed by the Premier League.

The Magpies requested the game at Villa Park, due to played this Friday, was called off due to a Covid outbreak at the club’s training ground.

While United have operated under the strict protocols imposed by the footballing authorities following the pandemic, they have been hit by the virus within the camp over the past week.

While the safety of everyone involved is paramount, the cancellation does create the difficult task of rescheduling the game.

A December date already seems highly unlikely, if not impossible, given United must now wait until the squad is free from the virus.

They have midweek games on December 16 (Leeds) and December 22 (Brentford), before the already packed Christmas schedule.

There is a free midweek between January 2-9, but with the Carabao Cup semi-finals scheduled to take place that midweek it is one which must be left open in case Newcastle book their place in the final four.

FA Cup fourth-round weekend (January 23-24) is a possibility but only if both sides lose their thirdround ties.

United are at Arsenal and Villa host Liverpool - but that is not something which can be decided now.

Beyond that, the fixture list does become easier to manage, with February midweeks largely clear. As things stand, United only have three games in March – including Villa at St James’ Park on March 13.