It is a scary situation in the 2021-22 English Premier League (EPL) right now. COVID outbreaks have rattled the tournament in the camps of multiple clubs. Gameweek 18 of the competition has seen six matches being postponed for the same reason. As a result, the status of the competition has been put under doubt for the moment.
"After reviewing all the new information provided by Aston Villa this morning and receiving separate medical advice, the board approved the request as a result of the club not having enough players to field a team. This decision was based on the number of Covid-19 cases, injuries and illness," a statement from the EPL read on Saturday.
The affected matches happened to be Manchester United vs Brighton and Hove Albion, Southampton vs Brentford, Watford vs Crystal Palace, West Ham United vs Norwich City and Everton vs Leicester City. On Sunday, the three scheduled matches are Newcastle United vs Manchester City, Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool. Meanwhile, there have been reports of an outbreak in Chelsea and Liverpool camps, with the status of those games still being doubtful.\
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The only game held on Saturday was between Leeds United and Arsenal at Elland Road. It turned out to be an entertaining encounter, with the Gunners hammering four past and winning 4-1. Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith-Rowe happened to be the goal-scorers. While they stay in the fourth spot, the Peacocks remain in 16th place.