Aston Villa have agreed to postpone Tuesday’s Premier League clash with Bolton, due to Fabrice Muamba’s health problems.
The Trotters midfielder collapsed in his side’s FA Cup fixture against Tottenham at White Hart Lane on Saturday, and is now in critical condition in hospital.
With the Bolton players obviously not in the right frame of mind to play the midweek fixture, Villa have agreed to postpone it until a later date.
“The thoughts and prayers of Aston Villa Football Club are with Fabrice Muamba and his family,” a statement on the Midlands club’s official website reads.
“Our thoughts also extend to his teammates, the management staff and all at Bolton Wanderers Football Club at this terrible time.
“The club, without hesitation, has agreed to Bolton’s request to postpone our Barclays Premier League game scheduled for Tuesday at Villa Park.
“We also wish to thank our supporters for their expressions of sympathy and support for the Muamba family and all at Bolton Wanderers,” it concluded.
Villa boss Alex McLeish also expressed sympathy for Muamba’s plight, and spoke of the player’s excellent calibre and attitude.
“Like everybody, I am shocked and saddened by what happened to Fabrice during Bolton’s FA Cup game at White Hart Lane and subsequent developments.
“I have worked with Fabrice as a player at Birmingham and he has always been a terrific lad, nothing other than the perfect professional.
“I can say that in my experience he trained every day the way he went to play in games, full of intensity and enthusiasm.
“He is a manager’s dream in terms of his commitment to the team and to his club and I know that Owen Coyle will feel the same way about him.
“My heart goes out to his family and it is overwhelming to think what they are going through right now.
“The massive response throughout Europe and the world of football underlines how everybody has been touched by this tragic development and I pray that Fabrice is able to pull through,” he confessed.
By Gareth McKnight
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