Spurs could play Fulham on Wednesday instead of Covid-hit Aston Villa

Tottenham could play Fulham on Wednesday instead of Covid-hit Aston Villa with Premier League scrambling to solve mounting fixture pile-up by slotting in rearranged clash

  • Aston Villa had to put out youngsters in FA Cup defeat by Liverpool on Saturday 
  • Covid-19 outbreak at club has put Wednesday’s Premier League clash in doubt 
  • Villa are due to play Tottenham but Spurs could now take on Fulham instead 
  • Fixture between Spurs and Fulham was postponed on December 30 last year 

Tottenham could face Fulham in a rearranged Premier League game on Wednesday, rather than take on Covid-hit Aston Villa. 

Spurs are scheduled to play Dean Smith’s side, who were forced to field youngsters in their 4-1 defeat by Liverpool in the FA Cup at the weekend. 

But the Premier League are proposing a solution to give Villa time to sort out their Covid-19 issues while also providing Spurs with a fixture, according to the Athletic.

Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham could face Fulham on Wednesday rather than Aston Villa

Spurs overcame Marine in the FA Cup on Sunday but still do not know who to prepare for 

They could replace the Villa Park encounter by having Spurs host Fulham instead, thereby fulfilling a game that was postponed on December 30. 

The situation has come about as Villa’s first team are in isolation after 14 positive tests were returned and they will need to be quarantined until this Friday. 

The Cottagers are understood to be unhappy at the proposed change having gone to extra time in the FA Cup on Saturday and the fact that they are due to play Chelsea on Friday, which may yet be pushed to Saturday. 

Scott Parker’s men have been told to ready themselves for a Wednesday game against Spurs but as it stands, the Premier League have not made a firm decision. 

And when Jose Mourinho was asked about the situation following his side’s 5-0 win over Marine, he insisted he was preparing to face Villa, telling Sky Sports: ‘Nobody told me that I’m not going to play so [on Monday morning] we start to prepare for that game, and the same Tuesday unless somebody tells us different.’

On Friday he had said: ‘It’s the moment for the Premier League to show leadership, to make decisions. A club like us is trying everything every day to be ready to play, to follow the rules we have in our hands.

‘We cannot be punished. If we don’t play against Aston Villa, that will be three matches postponed, and that will be impossible.

‘After the season we have the Euros [due to begin on June 11], and of course the Euros are not going to be moved. I believe it is an impossible situation for a club to have three matches postponed, especially if that club plays in Europe.’

Scott Parker’s Fulham may be forced to fulfill their postponed fixture with Spurs this week

Carlos Vinicius scored a hat-trick for Spurs against Marine in an impressive display

In total, four Premier League games have so far been postponed. Spurs missed a game against Newcastle and Fulham’s games with the London club and Burnley were also off along with Manchester City’s trip to Everton.

The hectic winter schedule is already putting a significant strain on players and rearranged fixtures are proving to be a major headache for the Premier League. 

Given that Fulham and Spurs already missed playing each other, Wednesday may be seen as the best solution to fulfilling the game, despite the Cottagers’ protestations.  




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