Agbonlahor: Major Premier League change is needed as new details emerge on Aston Villa controversy
The Premier League are to blame for Aston Villa only announcing their game with Burnley was postponed just over two hours before kick-off.
So says Aston Villa’s record Premier League goalscorer Gabby Agbonlahor, speaking exclusively to Football Insider as he suggested a cut off point should be introduced after which game’s cannot be postponed.
Villa released a statement at 12:40 on Saturday confirming they had received more positive covid tests and their game against Burnley was therefore off.
Only four Premier League games went ahead at the weekend with Thomas Tuchel also upset Chelsea’s visit to Wolves was allowed to be played despite a covid outbreak in his squad.
“It’s more the Premier League’s fault,” Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“Apparently, Villa, once they got the tests back at 10:30, notified the Premier League and they waited two hours until they notified the supporters.
“The Premier League need to be quicker. It’s like they waited two hours to see if they would call the game off.
“The club did what they can do but the Premier League need to be quicker with notifying people.
“There should be a cut-off point if the kick-off is at 3 pm, the covid tests have to be back by 9 am and registered. Then the Premier League can notify players and supporters way before the game starts.
“That would give supporters the chance to turn around if they are on the way.
“I understand it has got to be a certain time because they can’t take a test two days before a game. They need to take it as close to the game as possible.”
In other news, Kieran Maguire has saluted ‘clinical’ Aston Villa after a new January transfer plan is revealed.