Aston Villa will be without their first-team squad and coach Dean Smith for the FA Cup third round tie against Liverpool on Friday as their preparations were disrupted by a series of Covid-19 positive tests. Villa has closed its Bodymoor Heath training ground after revealing a large number of players and staff members had contracted the virus. A statement read that a second round of testing was carried out immediately and produced more positive results. The home side will now use their Under 23s squad and other academy players for the clash with the Premier League champions, depending on how many test negative for the virus.